Do you need to get a dental crown? Don't worry. There's nothing to be afraid of. Keep reading below to learn what to expect when getting this procedure.

You've just finished your dental checkup. While there, you were told that you would need to get a crown. Now, you're wondering: what does getting dental crowns entail?

There is quite a bit that goes into the process. We're going to discuss it and more below. Let's go!

What Are Dental Crowns?

Sometimes called a dental cap, a dental crown is a synthetic material that is used to cover a tooth or tooth implant. A crown not only helps to preserve the functional benefits of a tooth but the aesthetic benefits of a tooth as well.

Crowns are designed to look exactly like real teeth. So, by having a crown inserted, your smile will either be maintained or improved substantially.

There are a number of reasons why a crown might be necessary, some of which we'll discuss below.

Protect Cracked Teeth

Have your teeth incurred any cracks? If so, crowns might be necessary. Not only will they prevent the spread of decay but they'll also help to return your teeth to their prime aesthetic state.

Stabilize Weak Teeth

Should a tooth take on decay, it could weaken over time. This could eventually result in it falling out. Fortunately, crowns exist to stabilize the tooth and to ensure that decay isn't allowed to spread any more than it already has.

Cover Large Cavities

Many cavities can be filled. Unfortunately, some are too large for the practice. Instead, they need to be covered with crowns. Crowns will prevent the spread of cavities, ensuring that teeth maintain their health over time.

Supplement Worn Down Teeth

Do you grind your teeth? If so, over time, they're bound to wear down. This can result in chewing imbalances, not to mention a poor aesthetic.

Fortunately, dental crowns can be used to supplement worn-down teeth, improving their appearance and functionality.

Hold Dental Bridges

Maybe you have a few teeth missing right next to one another? If so, you might consider getting a dental bridge. A dental bridge is a set of artificial teeth that connects to adjacent teeth as a means of dental restoration.

In some cases, it's necessary to have a crown inserted prior to the installation of a dental bridge. The crown helps to hold the bridge in place.

Reinforce Teeth After Root Canals

One last reason that you might need dental crowns is to reinforce teeth after a root canal. Though dental crowns are not always necessary after a root canal is facilitated, they are a possibility. If you don't get a crown after your root canal, you will receive some other type of reinforcement.

Types of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can be made out of a variety of different materials, each of which comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. We'll discuss the most common of these materials below.

Porcelain

The most popular type of crown is the porcelain crown. Porcelain crowns possess the look of natural teeth, and so are commonly used on teeth of all kinds. They shouldn't change the aesthetic of your teeth at all.

Though they're capable of lasting for a very long time, they're also more prone to breaking. As such, they typically last between 5 and 15 years.

PFM

PFM stands for porcelain-fused-to-metal. The visible portion of these crowns is made out of porcelain. The core portion of these crowns is made out of metal.

The benefit of this? A combination of aesthetics and durability. Note, though, that they typically don't look as realistic as pure porcelain options.

Gold

Another type of crown to consider is the gold crown. Gold crowns aren't, in fact, made out of gold, but copper, nickel, and a number of other metals instead. They're aesthetically bold but provide superb durability.

Generally speaking, gold crowns are used on back teeth. Why only back teeth? Because when used on front teeth, they stick out like a sore thumb.

The Dental Crown Procedure

You're probably curious about the specifics of the crown procedure. These are dependent on the nature of the procedure. Will it occur in a single day or several? Let's discuss the specifics for both types.

Several-day Procedure

The several-day procedure begins with an assessment of the tooth in question. During this assessment, the dentist might take x-rays of the tooth. There's a possibility of a tooth mold being created as well.

Once this has occurred, the dentist will need to file down the tooth so that it's prepared for encasement. Then, once it's been filed, the dentist will take an impression of it.

This impression will be sent away to an independent lab. This lab will fashion a crown, which will eventually be sent back to the dentist for insertion. In the meantime, you, the patient, will be fitted with a temporary crown.

Weeks later, you'll return for your second appointment. At this appointment, your dentist will attach the crown to your tooth, securing it with dental cement. If you had several crowns made, this could be broken up into several appointments.

Single-day Procedure

The single-day procedure takes only around 4 hours. It begins with the dentist taking photographs of your teeth. Once these photographs have been taken, the dentist uses them to create a crown in-office.

Your only job is to wait around until the crown is ready. Then, you'll re-enter the dentist's office and have it inserted. It's really as simple as that.

Looking for a Dentist in Honesdale, PA?

Now that you know a little something about dental crowns, you might be searching for a dentist in your area. If so, and if you're in or around Honesdale, PA, Complete Health Dentistry of NEPA has you covered.

We've inserted crowns on countless patients. Regardless of your reason for needing crowns, we can accommodate you.

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