Why do dentists put crowns on teeth?
A lot of times, teeth are broken or they have large fillings or cavities or there's sensitivity in those teeth. They need something that can protect them. We think of crowns as like hats or helmets for our teeth. A crown is often the best solution to protect a tooth and keep it healthy, stable, and strong.
What are the pros and cons of dental crowns versus a dental bridge?
A crown usually refers to a restoration for one tooth. If something's happening on just a single tooth and it needs to be strengthened or protected, we'll use a crown. A bridge is used when there's either one missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. A bridge spans a gap, holding a false tooth in between two crowns to fill that missing gap.
What type of dental crown is best for a molar?
There are multiple kinds of material that can be used to fabricate a dental crown. Traditionally, we've used either gold or silver or platinum. Nowadays with more advanced dental technology, we're able to use different kinds of ceramic and porcelain to make crowns that actually look like real teeth.
What kind of crown is best for front teeth?
With a front tooth, we also have to factor in aesthetics. When we're talking about crowns on the front teeth, usually we'll be using some sort of dental ceramic because it's still strong enough to protect the tooth but also it looks really good.
Is it possible to not get a dental crown after a root canal?
After a root canal, something is needed to protect the tooth and keep it strong and stable. So it's definitely recommended most of the time after somebody gets a root canal on the tooth.
How do different dental crown materials compare?
Some of the most common materials for crowns are metals. Gold and platinum traditionally have been used for almost a hundred or more years. In the last 30 to 40 years, we've had an advance in dental technology and the development of ceramics and porcelain to be used as a material for dental crowns.
Are crowns as strong as real teeth?
One of the advantages of crowns is that they are extremely strong and they're good at protecting your teeth. However, the best dental crown materials are not ones that are necessarily the strongest but ones that work best with all the other teeth and all the other materials that are in your mouth.
What are the steps of a dental crown procedure?
First, we put the tooth to sleep. After that, we go about cleaning up the tooth. That means we'll take out any cavities, old fillings, parts of the tooth that are broken or rotten. We then shape the tooth so that a crown can fit onto it and take molds of the tooth to start making the crown. Once the crown is made, we cement it onto the tooth and then you're done.
What type of anesthesia will they need for a dental crown?
Usually we recommend that people get locally anesthetized before they have a crown procedure done. That usually means some sort of injection with any kind of dental anesthesia. Sometimes we also recommend that people get laughing gas to help them calm down.
Are there special instructions for brushing and flossing after getting a dental crown?
After a tooth has a crown placed on it, we usually recommend that people rinse with either warm salt water or mouthwash in order to soothe and heal the gums.
What is the average life expectancy for a dental crown?
A lot of it depends on the individual patient, their own body chemistry and physiology. What's their oral hygiene habits like? Do they brush and floss regularly? All of these things factor into how long a crown lasts. But I would say, by and large, if a crown can last between 5 and 10 years, I'm usually pretty happy.
How can you tell if you have a tooth decay under a crown?
Sometimes people start to feel either pain or sensitivity to hot, cold, chewing or biting. If any of those things are the case, it's possible that a crown has a cavity underneath it and it needs to be replaced.
What is the typical cost for a dental crown?
It varies based on the material in the crown as well as any potential insurance coverage. Prices will range anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000 depending on insurance coverage as well as the material used to fabricate the crown as well as how bad the damage is on the tooth that requires a crown.
How can I schedule an appointment for a dental crown?
If you feel like you need a crown or if one of your teeth is in need of treatment, please call our office at (916) 848-2145 or you can go to our website at www.crowndentistry.net and we can help you out from there.