What Should Every Patient Know About Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns can be given to people of all ages. They have many practical applications for treating decay and tooth trauma. Your dentist will let you know if they think you can benefit from this procedure. Here are four things patients should know before they get a dental crown:

1. Dental crowns can be invisible.

If your mental image of a dental crown is one of gold or silver teeth, you may need to amend it. Dental crowns used to be made of metal, but now they're more commonly made of porcelain. Porcelain has the same translucence as tooth enamel, and its color can be customized to perfectly match the shade of your teeth. The type of porcelain used in dental work is tough enough to withstand chewing. However, if you're concerned that your crown will wear out sooner than you'd like, you can choose a dental crown that's made of metal with a porcelain overlay. Both options will be totally invisible once they're installed in your mouth.

2. Dental crown treatment is painless.

In order to get a dental crown, you will need to have an impression made of your teeth. That's because each tooth is unique, and your crown needs to fit perfectly in your mouth. Your dentist will have you bite down on an alginate mold, which is painless and tasteless. At the same appointment, your dentist will make your tooth smaller, which will allow your mouth to accommodate the dental crown. You will be numbed before this part of the procedure, so it won't hurt. You will return to the dentist after your dental crown has been made; they will numb you once more and attach the crown to your tooth.

3. Dental crowns can last well over a decade.

Dental crowns are permanent additions to your smile. They are built to last, especially since they're often used to cap molars, which people use to do most of their chewing. You can expect your crown to last at least ten to fifteen years, but crowns can last much longer. You don't need to have your crown replaced unless it starts to give you trouble. Some people wear the same dental crown for their entire lives.

4. Dental crowns can be placed for cosmetic reasons.

Dental crowns are often used for practical reasons because they can strengthen teeth that have been weakened by root canal therapy or trauma. However, dental crowns can also be used for cosmetic reasons. If you have a tooth that is misshapen, discolored, cracked, or chipped, a dental crown can make it look as good as new.