What Are Dental Crowns Used For?

Dental crowns are artificial tooth-shaped appliances that are made to cover an existing tooth or replace a missing tooth. Used for a variety of purposes, dental crowns restore the appearance and bite functionality of a single tooth or multiple teeth. By adding to the structure of an existing yet weakened tooth, or acting as the visible tooth portion of an implant, crowns serve an important purpose in both the look and functionality of your smile.

Dental crown material choices

Crowns are usually made from porcelain, as this material mimics the appearance, color and hardness of natural tooth enamel. However, they can also be made from materials such as metal alloys, ceramics, composite resin or a metal crown coated in porcelain.

Metal alloy crowns are the cheapest and quite sturdy, but stand out against the natural color of surrounding teeth so are often not preferred by patients.

In order for the crown to fit naturally and comfortably within the bite and the mouth, your dentist will consider many factors in choosing the material from which your crown is made. These factors include tooth location and function (a molar will have a different set of needs than an incisor, for example), the position and condition of the gum tissue, patient preference, the color of the tooth and whether the tooth shows when you smile.

The dental crown process

Placing a crown is one of the most straightforward and mastered procedures practiced by dentists today. The procedure usually takes two separate dental visits in order to complete the placement of a crown. When the crown is placed over a natural tooth, the procedure is different than what it takes to place an implant.

On a natural tooth

For a natural tooth, the dentist will first examine the mouth for any signs of infection and take an x-ray to determine any other issues, like deep tooth decay. The dentist will then prepare the tooth by removing the outer portion and any decay. The tooth is made into a peg for the crown to be placed over. An impression is then made of the mouth in order to custom create the crown in the lab to fit your specific bite. While the crown is being made, your dentist will place a temporary crown so you do not have to go without a tooth.

After a few weeks, the permanent crown is ready. In this second appointment, the dentist will remove the temporary crown and test the fit and comfort of the permanent crown. Once you and your dentist are satisfied with the feel and look of the tooth, it will then be cemented there.

On a dental implant

On an implant, the process is similar but requires a few extra steps. Instead of preparing the natural tooth, a titanium post (a type of screw) is surgically inserted into the jawbone. A temporary crown will be placed while the bone heals around the post. After about four to six months, the implant has become a permanent fixture of the mouth, and the permanent crown is cemented atop the abutment.

Caring for your dental crowns

Dental crowns are durable enough to be used like your natural teeth. However, like natural teeth, they can still be fractured or broken. Be careful to treat them with the same amount of caution as your natural teeth. Although dental crowns are resistant to tooth decay, you still need to brush your crown regularly to prevent bacteria buildup and gum disease.

Ready to get started?

We invite you to contact our team of dental health professionals today. You can schedule a consultation with our dentist to find out whether a dental crown is a good fit for you.

Request an appointment here: https://smilesonmichigan.com or call Smiles On Michigan at (312) 509-9492 for an appointment in our Chicago office.

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