Dental crowns or caps have numerous benefits and are most commonly used after root canal procedures, especially for molars, in order to protect them and keep teeth from any further damage. Dental crowns are, in fact, one of the most popular and effective ways to protect, maintain and restore teeth with extensive fillings, decay, and fractures. These caps cover the visible part of your teeth to the gum line in order to improve your teeth’s appearance, functionality and protect them.
At Langley Dental Centre in Langley, BC, our dentists normally use porcelain crowns to cover weak, brittle, or worn teeth to protect, strengthen, and restore their structure. However, there are also full metal (usually gold alloys) and porcelain fused to metal crowns available, nevertheless, porcelain crowns are the most popular since they have the most natural look and are generally indistinguishable from natural teeth.
The Benefits of Dental Crowns
Dental Crowns Protect & Restore Your Teeth
The most common reason your dentist will suggest you get a dental crown is to protect and restore a tooth that has been affected by extensive decay, is broken or worn down. The crown will help restore your bite or occlusion and the functionality of your tooth. Since your crown completely covers your tooth and is bonded into place, it can provide important protection from bacteria that might cause further damage and decay.
Dental Crowns Strengthen Your Teeth
Dental crowns are also used to strengthen your teeth after they have been significantly damaged by decay. Therefore, when a large portion of your tooth has been replaced by filling, its structure is vulnerable to damage so a dental crown can strengthen the weakened tooth. Consequently, dental crowns are often used after a root canal procedure, especially if the decay has affected the upper part of your tooth.
Dental Crowns Can Improve Your Smile
In addition to their restorative nature, dental crowns can also be used in cosmetic dentistry to improve the appearance of any of your teeth that may have extensive discolouration and staining. What’s more, your dentist may suggest dental crowns for any misshapen or crooked teeth as well in order to achieve natural-looking results. Chipped, cracked, and fractured teeth can also be hidden by dental crowns and thereby enhancing your smile.
How Dental Crowns are Applied
The application procedure for dental crowns is minimally invasive and fairly simple. Initially, your dentist cleans the enamel of your tooth and shapes it to provide a firm fit for the crown. The amount of your natural tooth that must be removed depends on the type of crown you’re getting and the reason for the restoration.
After the shaping procedure, an impression of the tooth is taken to ensure the crown will be a perfect fit. If you are getting same-day porcelain crowns, you have only a 20-minute wait, otherwise, the mold impression is sent to skilled dental technicians who create your custom-made crown. While you wait for your permanent dental crown, you will get a temporary acrylic crown and return in a few weeks to get the permanent crown fitted. In either case, the dentist will apply cement to the crown and press it into place.
How to Protect & Prolong The Life of Your Crowns
Depending on the material used to make your dental crowns, the wear they get, and the care they receive, permanent crowns last about 5 to 15 years but for some of our patients even much longer. Our dentists at Langley Dental Centre would like to share some tips to prolong the life of your crown.
Even though dental crowns are not vulnerable to cavities, it is still important that you brush your teeth at least twice a day (if possible right after every meal). Proper oral hygiene helps protect your crowns as well as the rest of your teeth. Your crowns are constructed of strong and durable material but you should avoid biting on hard foods or ice since you risk cracking your crown but also your natural teeth. In addition, if you participate in contact or team sports or grind your teeth while you sleep, it would be a good idea to wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your crowns.
Dental crowns have many benefits and serve many purposes in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. They can enhance your smile and provide you with great functionality that will improve your quality of life. They are an integral part of providing support to weakened or broken teeth. Please note that untreated dental problems can lead to jaw pain, headaches, and bite anomalies that could do further damage to otherwise healthy teeth.
If you have any questions regarding dental crowns or if you would like to find out if they are right for you, contact us today to schedule your dental consultation. Call us at 604-455-6247 or book your appointment online.
