What is a dental crown, and why might your Yorba Linda dentist say that you need one? A dental crown is a cap for the tooth, and it can be made of a variety of materials: porcelain fused to metal, ceramic, all metal, or resin. These vary in cost, and they also vary in strength as well as in the ability to be matched in color to your teeth. The location of the crown can be a determining factor in which type of crown your Yorba Linda dentist recommends for you. A permanent crown is made at a dental laboratory, while a temporary one can be made in the office of your Yorba Linda dentist.
Why might you need a crown? A crown can be used to strengthen a compromised tooth, as when a tooth becomes broken or has a large part missing because of decay. A crown can also restore the cosmetic appearance of a tooth. Crowns are generally not added just to achieve a cosmetic goal, though, because of the labor and intrusion into the tooth, especially when there are other options available to achieve aesthetic results, such as bleaching, bonding, and veneers.
Once it has been determined that you need a crown, though, how is this achieved? Having a crown put in involves two visits: one for construction of the crown and one for its placement. During the first visit, the tooth is either filed down to make room for the crown or built up with filling material to provide enough tooth for the crown to be installed onto, if much of the original tooth has been lost. The dentist then makes an impression of the tooth receiving the crown, as well as of the teeth below and above the crown; this is to ensure that the crown will not cause problems with the bite. Your Yorba Linda dentist will make and attach a temporary crown to cover the prepared tooth. Your permanent crown will be made at a laboratory using the impressions that your dentist sends; it typically takes 2 or 3 weeks for this.
After the crown is received by your Yorba Linda dentist, you must go in for it to be placed. Your dentist will check the fit and color, and then he will use permanent cement to attach it to your prepared tooth (after removing the temporary crown).
There can be problems with newly attached crowns. Sometimes they are set too high, which can result in some discomfort. Occasionally a crown may come off; this can happen if not enough cement was used. Generally, though, a well-made and well-attached crown from your Yorba Linda dentist should last 5 to 15 years, depending on your overall oral health and habits.
To discuss the different varieties of crowns, contact your Yorba Linda dentist at dentalartsdmd.com who offers comprehensive dental services.
