Regaining Function With Dental Crowns
You’re happily living life then all of the sudden you hear a “crunch”, most likely while chewing. You think to yourself, “What was that?” Then realize you’ve just broken a tooth. Great, what will this entail? Hopefully, not more than a few visits to the dentist, so no need to stress.
Over time our teeth have tiny micro fractures present themselves – and over increased time, while chewing, these deepen. As this happens it causes larger fractures, which inevitably end up breaking a larger part of the tooth structure off. When this happens a restoration, like a filling, may not be able to be completed. An effective and aesthetically pleasing option is a crown.
A dental crown is, simply put, a 360 degree covering of the tooth. You arrive at the surgery and have an evaluation of the extent of the break in the tooth. This allows the dentist to assess which type of crown will be right for you. Most crowns are porcelain coloured so they match the existing teeth perfectly, no one will ever know it’s not your natural tooth! Some crowns need to have extra strength, especially ones on the back teeth. These teeth endure high levels of forces while eating, so they need to be able to hold up under larger chewing forces. Many times the dentist will choose to have a metal base, which provides the needed strength, with a porcelain overlay so aesthetically the crown looks natural. Once placed the crown will provide a sound structure to use while chewing. By placing the crown completely over the existing prepped tooth structure, it adds strength that allows for chewing forces in the mouth.
Simple step procedure
The whole procedure mostly takes just two visits into the surgery. The first visit, the dentist will choose the correct material and prepare your tooth for the crown. This procedure may include something called a build up, which does just what it sounds like. It builds the broken down part of the tooth up, to allow for a stable structure to place the crown upon. After this is completed, the dentist will shape and contour the structure and take an impression of the tooth. This impression will then be sent to a laboratory so the crown can be fabricated. Once at the lab, the technician follows the detailed instructions presented by the dentist on the colour, shape and size of the crown needed. The lab fabricates the crown and sends it back to the dentist so that they may place it in the mouth. The second appointment generally is pretty quick. The dentist tries the crown in to make sure all the margins are correct. The patient approves the look and feel of the crown and if all is well, it is permanently cemented in.
Crowns provide a reliable and long-term option for natural tooth restoration. They generally are not even recognised by others as not being the patients “real” tooth. Crowns preserve form and function so patients can effortlessly enjoy chewing and speaking.
