What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a full-coverage restoration that goes over a tooth to help protect and restore it. Your tooth may already be weakened from a fracture, a large cavity, or another dental problem. In those situations, your dentist may recommend a crown to restore the tooth's shape, function, and strength.
What types of dental crowns are available?
There are several different types of dental crowns. One option is a metal crown, which may include gold-containing alloys. These crowns can be very durable, although their appearance and material cost mean they aren't selected for every patient.
Another option is a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, or PFM crown. This type of crown has a metal substructure covered with tooth-colored porcelain. PFMs can be used in different areas of the mouth, depending on the patient's restorative and aesthetic needs.
There are also all-ceramic crowns. Advances in dental materials have given us several ceramic options with different combinations of strength and aesthetics. Depending on the material and clinical situation, ceramic crowns can be used for both front and back teeth.
Resin or composite materials may also be used for certain crown restorations, although they have different strength, wear, and longevity characteristics than ceramic or metal restorations. The appropriate material depends on the tooth, bite, appearance, and treatment needs.
When do you need a dental crown?
Can you do a filling instead of a crown? It depends on how much healthy tooth structure remains and how much support the tooth needs. Dentists don't recommend a crown for every cavity or fractured tooth.
If a tooth has a large cavity, fracture, or existing restoration and there isn't enough healthy structure to predictably support another filling, your dentist may recommend a crown. The crown covers the prepared tooth and can help restore its strength and function.
The decision isn't based on a specific percentage of tooth structure that's missing. We evaluate the location and extent of the damage, the condition of the remaining tooth, your bite, and other factors to determine whether a filling, crown, or another restoration is appropriate.
What happens during the dental crown procedure?
Typically, there will be two visits involved in fabricating a laboratory-made crown. The first visit is when you come in to get the tooth ready for the crown. Your dentist will get you numb and help keep you comfortable during the procedure.
Then your dentist will prepare and shape the tooth to create room for the crown. Here at First Smile Family Dental, we use a 3D intraoral scanner to digitally scan the prepared tooth. We can send that information electronically to the dental laboratory, where the final crown is fabricated.
After we scan the tooth and send the information to the lab, we'll make you a temporary crown to wear while the permanent restoration is being made. We'll check that the temporary crown fits comfortably and give you instructions for taking care of it.
Because the temporary crown is held in place with temporary cement, you'll want to be careful with hard, crunchy, or sticky foods. If you're instructed to floss around the temporary crown, we'll show you how to remove the floss without accidentally pulling the crown off.
Once the permanent crown comes back from the laboratory, you'll return for the second visit. We'll remove the temporary crown, clean the tooth, and evaluate the fit, bite, and appearance of the permanent restoration.
Depending on the situation, we may use an X-ray to help evaluate how the crown is seated. Once we're satisfied with the fit and you're happy with the appearance, we'll cement the crown into place, remove the excess cement, floss around the tooth, and check your bite.
How long does a dental crown last?
A dental crown can last for many years, but its lifespan varies. The crown material, condition of the underlying tooth, bite forces, oral hygiene, diet, clenching or grinding habits, and regular dental care can all affect longevity.
If you take good care of your teeth and crown and keep up with regular dental visits, that can help support the restoration's long-term function. We'll also monitor the crown and the tooth underneath it during your routine appointments.
Is a dental crown permanent?
A dental crown doesn't mean we're removing and replacing your entire natural tooth. The natural tooth remains underneath the restoration after it has been prepared to receive the crown.
The crown is cemented or bonded onto the prepared tooth and isn't something that you remove when you eat or sleep like a removable denture. Although we refer to it as a permanent restoration, that doesn't mean it will necessarily last forever. Crowns can eventually wear, chip, loosen, or need replacement for other reasons.
Is getting a dental crown painful?
We use local anesthetic during crown preparation when appropriate to help keep you comfortable. After the procedure, some patients may experience temporary sensitivity or soreness around the tooth or gums.
A temporary crown can also sometimes feel sensitive while you're waiting for the permanent restoration. Once the final crown is placed, sensitivity may improve, but a crown doesn't guarantee that all sensitivity will disappear.
If you have significant sensitivity, pain that gets worse, or symptoms that continue longer than expected, contact the dental office so we can evaluate what's happening.
Will my tooth become too small after preparation for a crown?
Another common concern from patients is how much natural tooth structure needs to be removed to create room for the crown. Our goal is to preserve as much healthy tooth structure as reasonably possible while still creating enough space for a properly designed restoration.
The amount of preparation depends on the tooth, the existing damage, the crown material, and the restorative design. We want to balance preservation of the natural tooth with creating enough room for the crown to have appropriate strength, fit, and appearance.
Why do you use lab-made crowns instead of same-day crowns?
Some patients ask why we use a dental laboratory instead of making every crown during a same-day visit. Same-day CAD/CAM technology can be an appropriate way to fabricate crowns, and many dental offices use it successfully.
At First Smile Family Dental, we've chosen a workflow that uses digital scanning combined with a dental laboratory. This allows us to work with the laboratory on the material, shape, shade, and other details of the final restoration.
That doesn't mean a lab-made crown is automatically better fitting, stronger, or more natural-looking than a same-day crown. Both approaches can produce successful restorations. We've chosen the laboratory workflow based on how we prefer to plan and provide crown treatment in our office.
Understanding your dental care options is an important part of protecting your oral health. Contact us at (253) 544-4073 or email [email protected] with any questions.
A crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a tooth that's either decayed or damaged. The crown covers the entire tooth, preventing anything from getting in and causing further harm. It also restores the tooth to its natural shape and size and is typically made from porcelain or metal alloys that are fused. Dental crowns are restorative dentistry solutions that are primarily used to protect and restore teeth that have suffered significant damage, such as extensive decay, fractures, or large fillings. They provide a durable protective covering over the affected tooth, preventing further deterioration and enhancing longevity. At First Smile Family Dental, dental crowns can be made from various materials, including porcelain, metal alloys, ceramic, or a combination of materials. The choice of material depends on factors such as the location of the tooth, aesthetic preferences, and functional requirements.
The Procedure for Dental Crowns in Federal Way, WA
The process of getting a dental crown typically involves multiple visits to the dentist in Federal Way, WA. During the first visit, the Federal Way, WA dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any decay or damaged portions and shaping it to accommodate the crown. An impression of the prepared tooth is then taken and sent to a dental laboratory to fabricate the custom crown. In the meantime, a temporary crown may be placed to protect the tooth. The temporary crown is removed during the subsequent visit, and the permanent crown is cemented or bonded onto the tooth. Contact us to learn more.
The Benefits of Dental Crowns in Federal Way, WA
Tooth Protection
Dental crowns provide a protective barrier for a tooth that is cracked, chipped, or weakened by extensive decay. By covering the entire visible portion of the tooth, the crown helps prevent further damage and fracture.
Restoration of Tooth Structure
A dental crown can restore the strength, function, and appearance of a tooth that is significantly decayed or damaged. The crown acts as a new outer surface for the tooth, allowing it to function correctly for biting and chewing.
Aesthetic Improvement
Dental crowns are designed to match your natural teeth's shape, size, and color, ensuring a seamless and natural appearance. They can improve the aesthetics of a tooth by covering discoloration, misshapen or poorly aligned teeth, and other cosmetic concerns.
Comfort and Functionality
Dental crowns are custom-made to fit your bite and restore proper tooth alignment. This helps improve your bite function, making it easier to chew and speak properly. Crowns also help distribute the forces exerted during biting and chewing, reducing stress on surrounding teeth.
Proper oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental check-ups, are essential for maintaining the health and longevity of dental crowns. Additionally, avoiding habits such as grinding or clenching teeth and refraining from biting on complex objects can help preserve the integrity of the crown. To learn more about dental crowns, visit First Smile Family Dental at 32717 1st Ave S Suite 9, Federal Way, WA 98003, or call (253) 544-4073.