Are Dental Crowns Effective?

When you have severely damaged, chipped, cracked and discolored teeth, dental crowns can help fix these issues and restore the appearance of your teeth.

It can be frustrating to have dental imperfections like cracked, chipped, discolored and weak teeth. These problems can make it hard for you to smile and even maintain your dental practices. But, that shouldn’t be the case. This is because we have several treatments like dental crowns in Bristol, CT, that you get to restore your teeth’ appearance. Before jumping into getting dental crowns, here is what you need to know.

What are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are false teeth that cover the entire tooth to replace the size, shape, color, and appearance of the teeth. They come in different options that you can choose from:

• Stainless steel crowns. These teeth caps are prefabricated at the dental office. These crowns are a bit different from the rest, only that our dentist in Bristol, CT, will fix them in one dental visit. Because of this, the crowns are ideal for children. They are also used as a temporary measure as you wait for the permanent ones.
• Porcelain crowns. These are tooth-colored teeth caps that give a seamless look. They are durable and stain-resistant, meaning they will not stain easily. Porcelain crowns can last for 15 years with proper care.
• Metal crowns. These crowns are made of gold, silver, copper, or metal alloys. They are durable and can withstand biting and chewing pressure. That’s why they are fixed on back teeth. Metal crowns, however, are visible and also are more expensive than the rest of the teeth.
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. These dental crowns offer the aesthetics of dental crowns and the durability of the metal ones. The porcelain crown is fixed on the teeth and the metal part is used to support it. On the downside, they can gum discoloration.
• All resin crowns. These teeth caps are less expensive and easy to fix. They can also be made to look like your natural teeth. However, they are not as durable and can crack and chip. They are prone to stains and will discolor with time.

When Are Dental Crowns Used?

Our dentist can recommend a dental crown to correct and fix the following issues:

• Weak teeth
• Broken, chipped, and cracked teeth
• To cover a dental filling
• Hold a dental bridge or dental implant
• Cover misshapen and discolored teeth
• Protect the teeth from decay

What Steps Are Involved in Fixing Dental Crowns?

To have the dental crowns fixed, you will need at least two dental visits and the process involves a few steps:

• Examination and preparation

The dentist will first examine your teeth and may do an x-ray to check your jaw and the roots of the teeth receiving the crowns. If the dentist detects decay, a root canal treatment will be done first.

Your gums and surrounding tissues are numbed to ease discomfort. Teeth preparation is required for the crowns to be fixed. The enamel is trimmed to make room for the crowns and the amount removed will depend on the type and thickness of the crowns.

The dentist will take an impression of the teeth with putty or a digital scan to make the crowns. It can take a few weeks (around four weeks) for the permanent crowns to be made. In the meantime, the dentist will cover the teeth with temporary crowns to protect them from sensitivity.

You need to protect your temporary crowns to keep them from chipping or cracking. Avoid taking chewy and sticky foods that can dislodge the crowns.

• Fixing the permanent crowns

On the second dental visit, the dentist will remove the temporary ones and replace them with the permanent ones. These crowns are fixed with a block of cement and hardened with laser light. Local anesthesia is used to make the process bearable.

What Problems Can Develop with Crowns?

After the dental crown is fixed, you may develop tooth sensitivity. The dentist will recommend a tooth-sensitive toothpaste that can help ease the discomfort. Your crowns can also loosen or chip.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Admire Dental Bristol dental clinic for more information on dental crowns, how they are fixed and the risks involved.