Dental crowns are commonly used for restorations in teeth that have been broken off, heavily decayed, or that have undergone root canal therapy. They are strong enough to stand up to everyday wear and tear and the pressures of biting and chewing. The materials used to make crowns don’t generally require any additional care beyond everyday brushing and flossing and regular visits to your dentist.
Caring for Your Dental Crown
Most dental crowns don’t require special care. However, depending upon what the crown is made of, you might need to take some minor precautions to avoid damaging or staining it.
Crowns are generally made of:
- Metal, usually gold or stainless steel
- Porcelain
- Metal bonded with porcelain
- Tooth-colored resins
Metal crowns are more commonly used for back teeth (molars) because they are stronger and less likely to chip under the regular stress of chewing. They are also less aesthetically pleasing on front teeth than crowns made of tooth-colored materials. Metal bonded with porcelain is also a popular choice for back teeth, combining the advantages of metal with those of porcelain.
Porcelain crowns are more susceptible to chipping or breaks. If you have porcelain crowns, whether they are on front or back teeth, you should avoid biting down on hard objects of any kind. Be sure to brush and floss regularly. If you have difficulty flossing between teeth that have been crowned, ask your dentist for solutions to prevent gum disease from developing between these teeth.
Having a Tooth Crowned
Crowns are typically placed in a two-step process. First, your dentist takes a mold of your tooth, then he reshapes the tooth to make room for the crown. A temporary crown is affixed to protect your tooth while the permanent crown is constructed. When the crown is ready, you’ll return to the dentist to have it set into place permanently. Your tooth and the jaw around it might be sore for a short time after treatment, but overall having a tooth crowned is a straightforward procedure.
Contact our office at Bliss Dental today for more questions answered!