Trusted Atlanta, GA Dentist
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a tooth shaped cap or covering that encases the visible part of the tooth above the gum line called the clinical crown. It’s a permanent fixture, and once cemented in place a crown becomes the tooth’s new surface.
Why Do I need a Crown?
A dentist at Greenbriar Dental Care might recommend a crown for many reasons. The first and most common reason a dentist uses a crown is to preserve the reaming tooth structure after another procedure, such as after a root canal or large filling. It might also be used to cover a cracked tooth to preserve the natural dentition and to give the tooth strength. Other common reasons dentists use crowns include holding a dental bridge in place or covering a dental implant.
In other cases, a dentist might use a dental crown on worn teeth to help improve the size or shape of a tooth to help in the tooth’s appearance or to help in improving the bite.
In children, the dentist will use dental crowns to save a tooth so damaged by decay that there is not enough tooth to support a filling as well as for protecting teeth at risk of decay. In other cases, a crown might be used to decrease the frequency of sedation or anesthesia in children not able to cooperate during dental procedures do to age, medical restrictions, or other factors.
How Long will Crowns Last?
Crowns are permanent, but they do not last forever. Typically a crown will last five to eight years but can last much longer with good oral hygiene and dental supervision. It is important to avoid habits such as nail biting, crunching ice or hard candy, and teeth grinding that can compromise the crown. You might also have certain restrictions based on the type of material used to make the crown. Crowns are not invincible, and all porcelain crowns for example, can chip and crack much like a natural tooth. While the dentist can repair some chips, repairs do not last long and compromise the strength of the crown.
What Type of Crown Should I Get?
There are several different types of crowns including the most common, ceramic, porcelain, resin and stainless steel. Each type of material has advantages and disadvantages and your dentist can tell you which material will be the best match for your specific situation. There are many options and the dentist will factor in the strength of the material as well as the cosmetic result in making suggestions.
Are There Other Options
If your dentist recommends a crown, you can be confident it is a necessary course of action. Dentists use dental crowns when it is the best clinical choice in the preservation of your natural tooth structure. Preserving your tooth and the root is always the most preferable course of action.
Contact us at Greenbriar Dental Care in Atlanta now to learn more and schedule your appointment.
