Why You Need to Know About Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a covering placed over teeth to restore their shape, strength, size, and appearance. When fixed in place, the crown covers the entire tooth starting from the gum line upwards.

Why Would You Need a Dental Crown?

The following reasons may necessitate the need for dental crowns:

• To protect those teeth that have been weakened by decay
• If you need to restore a severely worn tooth or a broken tooth, you may need a dental crown
• To hold dental bridges in position
• For purposes of covering discolored or misshapen teeth
• To cover dental implants
• If you need cosmetic modifications on your teeth, you may need a dental crown

Dental Crowns for Children

On milk teeth, crowns may be used to:

• Save a severely damaged tooth that can barely support fillings.
• Protect the child’s teeth from decay, especially if they are having difficulty practicing good oral hygiene.

Types of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can be classified according to the material from which they are made.

• Stainless Steel crowns

These prefabricated crowns are used as a temporary solution on permanent teeth. The crown will protect your teeth or filling as it waits for the permanent crown to be made. In children, stainless steel crowns cover the primary teeth which have been prepared for fitting it. The crown fits over the whole tooth, protecting it from decaying further.

When kids start shedding off their primary teeth, the crowns come off with the teeth. One of the reason dentists recommend dental crowns is because of their cost effectiveness. With dental crowns, there is no need to make numerous visits to the dentist’s to have them fixed. The case is different for custom-made crowns.

• Metal Crowns

Alloys with high platinum or gold content and base-metal alloys are used to make these crowns. They are resistant to chewing and biting forces and, for this reason, last longer. What is more? They rarely break or chip. Their main setback, however, is the high cost of gold and metallic color.

• Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Dental Crowns

Unlike their metallic counterparts, these can be modified to match the color of adjacent teeth. The drawbacks are more wearing, chipping, and breaking off. They resemble natural teeth, but following the gum recession, the metal beneath the porcelain can be exposed and appear as a darkened line on the gum line. These are an excellent choice for both front and back teeth and bridges.

• All-Resin Dental Crowns

Out of all types of crowns, these are the most affordable. You may however need to replace them often because of the wearing down.

• All-Porcelain/ All-Ceramic

Ideal for both front and back teeth, these crowns bear the closest resemblance to teeth. Our dentist at Ellicott City MD recommends these to people that are allergic to metals.They can be permanent or temporary.

• Temporary Crowns

These can be made in dentist offices. They are generally made of stainless steel or acrylic-based materials and serve as temporary solutions before permanent crowns are made.

Caring for Your Temporary Dental Crown

Because they are just temporary fixes, dentists suggest these precautions when caring for your temporary crowns:

• Avoid sticky foods as they can grab and pull off your crown.
• Chew less using the side of your mouth that has the crown.
• Avoid chewing on hard foods that can break dislodge or even break your crown.
• To prevent the crown from coming off, do not lift out the dental floss while cleaning. Instead, slide it out.

Associated Problems

What complications could arise from getting a dental crown?

• Discomfort: After the anesthesia has worn off, the tooth may become highly sensitive. There are kinds of toothpaste for sensitive teeth that may be recommended by your pediatric dentist Ellicott City.
• Chipping: It is normal for porcelain crowns to chip. If it is a small chip, it can be repaired using composite resins. The crown may, however, need replacement if the chip is extensive.
• Loose crowns: This results from the washing out of the cement from beneath the crown. This not only loosens the crown, but also allows leaking in of bacteria. Bacteria can cause decay to the remaining tooth.

We at Excel Dental Care are passionate about providing you and your loved ones the best dental care. We are specialists in installing dental crowns near you. If you are looking for a dental crown clinic near you, we offer dental crowns in Ellicott City, MD, among other cosmetic dental services.