What are dental crowns? What types of crowns are available? Why do I need a dental crown? What steps are involved in preparing my tooth for a crown? How should I care for my temporary dental crown?
Yes, we know you have many questions and that’s why you’re reading this post. We assure you that you’ll get all the answers to prepare for your procedure at Studio Smiles NYC. Let’s get right into the details!
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a “dental cap” shaped like a tooth and is placed over an entire tooth to cover it. This procedure is done for permanent or temporary restoration as it can restore the shape, size, and strength of the tooth.
It can also enhance the natural appearance of your teeth. Our dentist will cement the dental crowns in place to cover the visible part of the tooth – the portion that is above the gum line. If you have a damaged tooth, this procedure might be for you.
Different materials are used for dental crowns, including metal crowns, zirconia crowns, monolithic crowns, PFM crowns, and porcelain crowns.
When it comes to choosing a
permanent crown, several factors must be considered.
These include the durability, strength, and cost of the crown placement. You can discuss the options available at our dentist’s office. They’ll help you decide the material that best suits your needs.
Why Do You Need a Dental Crown?
Different reasons may require that you get dental crowns installed on your natural teeth. The following are some of the situations that may warrant the need:
- If you have a weak natural tooth caused by decay, gum disease, or other tooth problems, you may need a dental crown to protect it from breaking.
- If you have a cracked tooth, it may also be recommended to hold the parts together.
- To hold a dental bridge firmly in place.
- To cover a dental implant, severely discolored or deformed teeth.
- To restore a tooth that is severely worn down or an already broken tooth.
- Support and cover a tooth with a large filling when there’s not a lot of tooth remaining.
Children may also need dental crowns for baby teeth for different reasons. Some of these reasons include:
- Reduce the frequency of general anesthesia for children who cannot abide by the prerequisites for proper dental care due to behavior, age, or medical history.
- When a child has a damaged tooth caused by decay or other teeth issues and cannot be supported by a filling, a dental crown may be recommended to protect the tooth.
- It protects a child’s tooth at a high risk of tooth decay, especially children with problems maintaining daily oral hygiene.
What are the Types of Dental Crowns Available?
Crowns come in diverse types, including stainless steel, porcelain fused to metal, all ceramic, all metal (like gold crowns or other alloy materials), all resin, zirconia crowns, and PFM crowns. Let’s look at some of these briefly.
All porcelain Crowns or All ceramic crowns:
These offer a better natural color that matches your natural teeth than any other dental crown type. They are also good options for individuals who are allergic to metals. All ceramic crowns are often used for front and back teeth.
All-resin Crowns:
These are less expensive options for crowns, but they are more prone to fracture and wear down with time. You have to avoid biting and chewing forces when you have this type of crown.
Porcelain fused to metal Crowns:
For these, our dentist can match the color to the color of your adjacent teeth. However, when compared to composite resin or metal crowns, porcelain fused to metal dental crowns wears down easily. Also, it can chip or break, but it can mimic the look of normal teeth.
What is the Difference Between a Temporary Crown and a Permanent Crown?
A temporary crown can be made at our dentist’s office, while a permanent crown can be made in a dental lab.
Usually, temporary crowns can be made from stainless steel or an acrylic-based material and fixed with temporary cement. It can be used as a temporary treatment until the permanent one is fabricated by a dental laboratory.
What to Know about the Dental Crown Procedure?
A dental crown procedure requires that you visit your dental health practitioner at Studio Smiles NYC twice. The first visit will involve the examination and preparation of the tooth, including the opposing teeth.
The second visit is when the permanent crown will be placed on your tooth to improve its natural appearance. Let’s look at what happens during the two visits in detail.
First Visit: Examination and Preparation of the Tooth
During your first visit, our dental technicians at Studio Smiles NYC may take X-rays to check the roots of the tooth where the dental crown will be placed.
They’ll also check the surrounding bone, tooth tissue, and your tooth’s natural enamel. In the case of serious decay or a possibility of injury or infection to the tooth’s pulp, our dentist may first perform a root canal treatment.
Before making the new crown, our dental health specialist will numb the tooth and gum tissue surrounding the tooth. They will then reshape the tooth receiving the dental crown around the sides and chewing surface to make space for the crown.
Our dentist may also get digital impressions using a digital scanner. They will also make the impression of the opposing tooth below and above the tooth receiving the dental crown to ensure the fitted crown won’t affect your bit.
Next, they will send the scans or impressions to a dental lab where they will manufacture the new crown. It takes about two to three weeks to complete the making of the crown.
If you’re getting porcelain fused to a metal dental crown, they will select a shade that matches the color of the adjacent teeth to get a natural tooth color.
Before you leave our Studio Smiles NYC on your first visit, our dentist will create a temporary crown to protect the already prepared tooth while they make the permanent design. So, you can have same-day crowns installed during your first visit.
Second Visit: Placement of the Permanent Dental Crown
Our dentist will call you for your second visit when the permanent crown has been completed. During this visit, your dental health professional will remove the temporary crown. They will check the color and fit of the fabricated porcelain crowns to be sure everything is perfect.
If everything is as specified, the dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding gum and permanently cement the new dental crown.
Common Concerns with Dental Crowns and How to Address Them
Sensitivity or Discomfort:
It’s normal to experience some sensitivity or mild discomfort after getting a dental crown, especially as the anesthesia wears off. If the crowned tooth has a nerve, you might notice sensitivity to hot or cold. Don’t worry—this can often be managed using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. Our dental professionals are here to guide you through it.
Chipped Crown:
Dental crowns made of porcelain or porcelain fused to metal are durable but may occasionally chip due to chewing or biting forcefully. If the chip is minor, it can be repaired with composite resin. For more significant damage, replacing the crown may be the best option. To keep your crown in great shape, avoid putting excess pressure on it while chewing.
Crown May Fall Off:
Sometimes, a crown may come loose due to the breakdown of the cement or underlying tooth decay. If this happens, clean the crown and tooth and temporarily secure them with over-the-counter dental adhesive or temporary tooth cement. Then, contact our office, and we’ll guide you through the following steps to ensure the crown is properly evaluated and restored.
Loose Crown:
If the cement beneath the crown washes away, the crown may feel loose, and bacteria could potentially cause tooth decay or a need for further treatment. If you notice a loose crown, don’t hesitate to contact us so we can secure it and keep your tooth healthy.
We’re here to ensure your dental crowns stay in top condition. If you have any concerns or need assistance, please call us!
Do You Need Special Care for Your Crowned Tooth?
Not necessarily. However, the fact that your tooth has a crown doesn’t mean it cannot be affected by gum disease or decay.
The American Dental Association recommends maintaining good oral hygiene practices, such as flossing daily, brushing your teeth twice daily, and rinsing your mouth once daily with an antibacterial mouthwash.
Final Thoughts
Getting a dental crown might be necessary, depending on your teeth’ state. In this post, we’ve looked at different aspects of getting a dental crown done and everything you need to know about the procedure.
If you have a weak tooth, this procedure might be a good option, especially if you don’t want to consider a dental implant. Talk to us at
Studio Smiles NYC, and our dentist will examine your natural tooth structure to determine if this treatment is best for you. You should also check if you have metal allergies.