What is a dental crown? It’s more than just a restorative solution. It’s actually an essential component of comprehensive oral health care.

Dental crowns are often misunderstood, but very important in dentistry. They can serve both functional and aesthetic purposes in your dental care.

Crowns aren’t just for fixing damaged teeth; they also help maintain the integrity of your mouth as a whole system. Every tooth plays an integral part, each one supporting the others, so it’s important for them all to be strong.

Discovering Dental Health: What Is a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns, commonly known as “caps,” serve a dual purpose. Dental crowns not only make your teeth more beautiful, but they also help restore their functionality and prevent pain.

The Anatomy of a Dental Crown

A dental crown is crafted from different materials like porcelain, ceramic, resin, or metal alloys. The material of your personal crown will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

Porcelain or ceramic crowns look natural and blend in seamlessly with your existing teeth. For back teeth where strength is more important than aesthetics, we might suggest more durable crowns made of gold or metal alloy.

When You Might Need a Dental Crown

If your teeth have significant damage that can’t be fixed with fillings or bonding procedures, a crown could be the right solution.

Some common types of damage are:

• Severe decay affecting most parts of the tooth
• Large old fillings requiring replacement
• Broken teeth from some type of trauma
• Weakened tooth structure after a root canal treatment

In certain cases, dental crowns might also be used cosmetically to improve your smile, such as covering discolored or misshapen teeth. This goes to show how much crowns can do for both the functionality and appearance of your teeth.

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are a game-changer in restorative dentistry. They enhance visual appeal, offer protection, but also play a crucial role in restoring functionality.

Aesthetic Improvement With Dental Crowns

Discolored or damaged teeth can significantly affect your self esteem. Fortunately, a well-crafted crown can restore the natural look and contour of your tooth, giving you back your smile.

A Protective Shield for Your Teeth

In addition to aesthetic enhancement, dental crowns act as protectors for compromised teeth. If you have weakened or cracked structures due to cavities or trauma, dental crowns offer support and prevent further damage by encasing vulnerable teeth.

They Restore Tooth Functionality

If beauty is skin-deep, then functionality runs even deeper. Living with oral pain can make everyday feel miserable. If you’ve been struggling with biting and chewing due to broken-down or missing teeth, a dental crown could be just what you need.

Types of Dental Crowns

At Flagship Dental in Langley and Surrey, we offer a range of dental crowns to cater to your dental needs.

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are a popular choice due to their durability and natural appearance. They can be matched to the color of existing teeth, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing outcome. Another variant, known as a zirconia crown, offers exceptional strength while maintaining a similar appearance.

Resin Crowns

Resin crowns are an affordable option for dental restoration procedures. Despite their affordability, resin crowns may not be as durable as other materials used for dental restoration.

Metal Crown (Including Gold)

Metallic or gold crowns are extremely strong and optimal for biting down, but don’t look like real teeth. This makes them a great choice for your back teeth.

Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns

Porcelain fused to metal crowns combine the strength of metal components with the aesthetic appeal of porcelain. Over time, these can start to show some underlying metal near the gum line, which is a concern for some individuals.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel crowns are a cost-effective solution commonly used temporarily in pediatric dentistry until permanent fixtures can replace them.

Ceramic Crowns

Ceramic crowns are another affordable option that look very natural. These may be slightly less durable compared to some other types, but can work for those on a budget.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

At Flagship Dental, we’ll begin with an initial consultation where our team of experts will assess your oral health condition. This includes determining exactly what type of crown will work best for you.

Preparation for Crown Placement

The preparation phase involves reshaping your tooth so it can accommodate the new crown. We take impressions of your teeth, which are then sent to a lab where they create custom-made crowns for each patient.

• We may place a temporary crown until we install the permanent one (approximately two weeks).
• You might experience some sensitivity after this stage, but rest assured that it’s normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Crown Placement Process

During your second visit, we’ll place the permanent crown onto your prepared tooth. Our dentists ensure precision fitting, and we’ll make any necessary adjustments before cementing it into place permanently.

We make sure there’s no discomfort or bite issues post-procedure. You should be feeling great! In case any adjustments need to be made afterwards, we’re just a call away.

Same-Day Crowns Procedure:

One of the benefits of getting a crown at Flagship Dental is that you may be able to get a same-day procedure. This means fewer appointments, and less time living with tooth pain.

How It Works:

We’ll employ cutting-edge tech to obtain digital pics of your oral cavity right away. This eliminates long waits between appointments as everything happens on-site.

Then we use what’s called a milling machine to craft your crown. This machine carves out precise shapes from ceramic blocks based on digital scans taken earlier.

The last step is to place the crown. No more return visits; you walk out with a brand new smile in one day.

Dental Crown After Care and Maintenance

Fortunately, maintaining your dental crown isn’t too complicated. Follow these steps to avoid common problems and keep your dental crown in excellent condition.

1. Establish Consistent Oral Hygiene Practices

We recommend sticking to a regular oral hygiene schedule, just like you would even if you didn’t have a crown.

Brush your teeth twice daily using fluoride toothpaste. This isn’t just an occasional task; make this routine as normal as your morning coffee or nightly skincare regimen.

This will keep your crowned tooth healthy and prevent gum disease around the base of the crown.

2. Monitor Changes in Your Dental Crown

Pay attention to any changes in color or shape in your crown. This doesn’t require specialized knowledge – just keep an eye out for discoloration or alterations that differ from when it was newly installed.

1. Note down any significant changes you notice during regular inspection of your teeth – remember, consistency is key.
2. If there are visible differences, don’t ignore them. These could signal underlying problems such as leaks or cracks within the structure itself, and we’ll want to take care of that as soon as possible.

3. Responding To Discomfort Or Pain Promptly

A well-fitted and properly cared-for dental crown shouldn’t cause discomfort under normal circumstances. If you’re experiencing unusual sensations like sensitivity towards temperature changes around the capped tooth or pain while biting or chewing – contact us immediately.

Dental Crown FAQs

Although dental crowns aren’t complicated in nature, there’s still a lot to know. We’ve answered frequently asked questions from our Surrey and Langley patients to tell you a little bit more about crowns.

How long does a dental crown last?

A dental crown can typically last between 5 to 15 years, but its lifespan depends on the material used and how well it is cared for.

Is it painful to get a dental crown?

No, getting a dental crown is not usually painful. We’ll apply local anesthesia during the procedure to minimize discomfort.

Can you get a crown without a root canal?

You can indeed have crowns without root canals if your tooth structure remains strong enough after removing decay or damage.

Book an Appointment With Us

Dental crowns are common yet crucial oral health components. They benefit your teeth in so many ways, from aesthetic appeal to protection to restoration.

If you’re in the Surrey and Langley area in need of a dental crown, contact Flagship Dental. We’ll be happy to explore your different options to find what will work best for you. Find an available appointment today.