Replacing Missing Teeth with Crowns
When your natural teeth are damaged, a crown can be an excellent solution for improving your smile. Crowns are typically used to replace part or even all of the natural crown of a tooth. Also often referred to as a cap, a crown is joined to the root of the tooth just under the gum.
Crowns can be used in a variety of circumstances, including when the original crown of the tooth is missing due to a traumatic injury or when it is discolored for any reason. One of the great benefits of using crowns to repair cosmetic issues is that they can be produced to match the adjacent teeth in terms of proportion, shape, and color.
The Process of Getting a Crown
If you are considering getting a replacement crown, it is important to understand what is involved in the process. In order to prepare your tooth for the replacement crown, your dentist may need to pare down the subject tooth. This is often the case if decay is involved. An impression will then be taken of the tooth once it is prepared. This is done using an elastic material that is used by a dental technician. While the replacement crown is being prepared, you will be fitted with a temporary crown, which is made of acrylic. Once the replacement crown is ready, it will replace the temporary crown and be cemented onto your tooth.
Replacement crowns can be constructed of various materials, including gold and porcelain. In some instances, a combination of metal may be used to produce a dental crown. Porcelain crowns provide a far more natural appearance. When porcelain is used, it is typically fused to a metal base to provide the crown with additional strength.
One of the most common questions that many people have about crowns is whether the process is painful. It is important to understand that a local anesthetic is used throughout the preparation procedure to ensure that you do not experience any discomfort. Most people find that they do not require any pain relief following the procedure. In some instances, you may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold, but this is usually only temporary in nature. Once your crown is cemented into place, it will function in the same way a natural tooth would. With that said, some care may need to be exercised with porcelain crowns, as they can be more susceptible to damage than a metal crown. Overall, crowns are just as comfortable as your natural teeth and can last for decades.
Replacement crowns offer a wonderful solution for restoring teeth that are chipped, broken, stained, or decayed. If you have been hiding your smile due to embarrassment over unsightly teeth, crowns can give you a reason to smile again.
While replacement crowns are often a good choice for damaged teeth, they can also be used in order to support a bridge by filling in a gap between your teeth.
If you have any questions or concerns about crowns, the dentists at Hinsdale Dental would love to answer them: 630-323-5200.
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