Dental Crowns: What You Need to Know About Them
Dental crowns are one of the treatments used by dentists for teeth restoration, especially if the tooth has an extensive filling that exceeds the natural structure of a tooth. This particular dental procedure is often done if you previously had root canal therapy or a dental filling. You can also get this procedure for aesthetic purposes. For example, people get a golden crown to add a sparkle to their smile, literally.
What Is A Dental Crown?
The dental crown is basically an imitation of your tooth. It is a hollow structure that fits over the tooth like a smooth cap. It fits around the tooth to keep out debris and bacteria from the natural tooth inside. The dentist first prepares the tooth for the crown. This means that they will chip away specific amounts of the tooth and the filling material so that the crown will snugly fit around it. During the preparation, the dentist may discover decay in the tooth. The decay is removed, and a composite core is immediately placed in the tooth before the crown is installed in place.
How Are Crowns Installed?
This procedure is done by applying a local anesthetic on the affected tooth. The dentist will fabricate a dental crown using the maxillary or mandibular arches. It is important that the crown needs to match the dental structure of your gums. The dentist will also try to make several considerations, such as the type of crown and color of your teeth. The thing is, the crown needs to look as natural as it can.
The permanent crown takes time to make; thus, the dentist usually prepares a temporary crown and installs the permanent a few days later. While waiting for the permanent crown, the dentist may place a dam over the tooth to hold it securely in place.