Dental crowns are a cosmetic dentistry restoration that can be used to improve the way your teeth look. Also called dental caps, these restorations go over the visible part of a tooth, hiding any flaws on it. Crowns also provide restorative benefits. They restore the function of damaged teeth and keep away bacteria and acids that can damage them.
A dentist might recommend a dental crown when there is extensive damage, stains or deformities all over a tooth. A veneer would not be a good option in that scenario because it would only cover the tooth's front surface. Composite bonding could be used to provide a temporary solution, but that would only last a few years. A crown can be used to improve the appearance of a tooth and keep it looking that way for over 25 years.
The installation of a dental crown is an irreversible procedure. It requires the removal of significant amounts of enamel, so the tooth will always need protection from that point. A local anesthetic is administered prior to removing enamel so the patient does not feel pain.
Once the tooth has been prepped for the crown, the dentist will make a 3D model of it or make an impression from a dental mold. This is passed over to a dental lab where cosmetic dentistry restorations like crowns are made. It takes roughly two weeks for the finished restorations to get back to the dentist. The patient gets a temporary crown to protect their teeth while they wait for the customized restoration. Temporary cement is used to hold the temporary crown in place so it can be easily taken off when the custom crown is ready.
Crowns can be matched with the color of the patient's teeth so any restorations made do not look out of place. Caps made out of composite resin and porcelain provide great aesthetics, but these restorations can also be made out of materials like gold, platinum and metal alloys.
The patient is called back in for a second appointment when their customized crown is ready. The dentist takes off the temporary crown and fits the custom ones. Adjustments are made as needed, and the patient's tooth should be fully restored.
There is no recovery period after getting a crown, so the patient's regular activities are not disrupted. Some patients experience increased teeth sensitivity after getting a crown, but that normally fades within a few days. The sensitivity can be minimized by using teeth desensitizing products.
Dentists recommend avoiding sticky and chewy foods for the first 48 hours after getting a crown when the cement used has yet to fully set. Doing so can lead to the crown becoming loose or dislodged.
A dental crown might be what you need if one or more of your teeth are affecting the way that your smile looks. Give us a call or drop by our Gainesville clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://gallodental.com or call GDC Smiles at (770) 504-5725 for an appointment in our Gainesville office.
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