When a tooth is badly damaged or decayed, a filling might not be enough to restore it. These are the cases in which a crown is used to salvage the tooth. A crown can have different uses, including holding a bridge or a cracked dental piece. Additionally, a crown might also be used for aesthetic purposes. If you go to a dental clinic in Dryden, they will be able to tell you if you require a crown. So, how does this process work?
First Things First…
One of the first things your dentist will do is prepare your tooth for the crown. This means, getting rid of any decay. Otherwise, this would simply continue to develop underneath the crown. In some cases, you might need to undergo a root canal procedure to prepare your tooth. Depending on the extent of the damage, it might also be necessary to build a foundation before placing the crown.
Once this has been addressed and prepared, the tooth needs to be filed down. This is done to ensure there will be sufficient space available for the crown. When you’re at your dentist in Dryden, they will need to make a mold of the area where the crown will be placed. Depending on the technology available for making a dental crown in Dryden there are different options. The measurement and design of the crown may be done digitally or manually. Furthermore, they might place a temporary crown first while they make the permanent one. Other dentists might be able to make it the same day thanks to a machine, meaning that you leave wearing your permanent crown from the start.
Types Of Crowns
If you are about to get a dental crown near you, you should first know about the types of crowns you might be offered. The main difference is the material they’re made of. This will also determine the area of your mouth in which they will be placed. For example, a ceramic crown is mostly used for front teeth. This is because its colour can easily match the colour of your teeth. Meanwhile, gold crowns –usually mixed with other metals- tend to be placed on your back teeth. They’re very resilient and have no detrimental effects on the actual tooth.
Other types that you might see at any dental clinic in Dryden are made of metal alloys. This material is also highly resistant. Furthermore, these require less filing/preparation of the existing tooth to fit the crown. Some crowns might be a mix of porcelain and metal, offering great durability.
It’s important to consider that ceramic crowns might look better but they’re also less durable. Furthermore, both ceramic crowns and porcelain-metal crowns can have a detrimental effect on adjacent teeth, which doesn’t happen with metal crowns.
Life After Getting a Crown
After the crown is placed, there will be a period of adjustment. It’s important that you notify your dentist in Dryden if you feel any pain or sensitivity. Sometimes, a crown might be too high and this will affect your chewing. This is easily remedied with a visit to the dentist. Oral hygiene continues to be as important as ever. While the material of the crown is very durable, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day. The gum line is still vulnerable and your overall oral health depends on your brushing and flossing habits.
There are cases in which the crown does not have a perfect fit. This might cause decay, and you might notice a bad smell coming from it. You should immediately go to a dental clinic in Dryden if this takes place. This also applies if you feel the crown loosening up. This means that something is wrong and it needs to be fixed. If the crown completely falls off, store it in a safe place and bring it to your dentist as soon as possible. Temporarily, you can use denture adhesive, which is usually available at the local pharmacy.
Lastly, keep in mind that with the proper maintenance, a crown can last for the rest of your life. Therefore, it’s important that you take care of your oral hygiene and don’t miss any visits after you get a dental crown near you. While the procedure solved your problem, it’s vital to have regular checkups, to make sure things are as they should be and guarantee the durability of your dental crown.