Getting Dental Crowns? Here’s What You Need to Know

Getting dental crowns might seem like an intimidating process, but that procedure is fairly simple. Crowns can be used to completely restore the form and function of your smile, and the entire appointment should only last for an hour or two. As an added bonus, modern crowns are made from incredibly durable materials that can last for decades with the proper aftercare.

Here is a quick glimpse at how these unique oral health devices work and what you can expect during your operation.

Common Causes of Tooth Damage

There are many different reasons why a patient might need to undergo a restorative dental procedure. Even if you go to great lengths to protect your teeth from damage, accidents can happen at any time. After being hit in the mouth, you could potentially chip or crack multiple teeth.

Tooth decay is another very common problem that many people will have to deal with at some point over the years. While a general dentistry practice might take care of some of those issues with bonding or veneers, crowns are often needed when the damage is extensive.

A Look at Dental Crowns

For many years, a dental crown could only be manufactured after an impression was made from the damaged tooth. The impression would be sent off to a lab where the crown was made from porcelain or another similar material. While that process was relatively effective, the crowns didn’t always fit perfectly.

Luckily, that has all changed with the cutting-edge CEREC machine. That unique device takes a 3D image of the damaged tooth to create an incredibly precise model. With that data, the crown is going to fit extremely well, and that means less tooth shaping will be needed.

Dental crowns are typically made from porcelain, and they can be milled in the dental office immediately after the 3D model has been created. Once a crown has been milled, it is attached to the tooth with a powerful bonding agent.

The crown will almost completely cover the tooth and protect it from further damage. If a crown ever becomes damaged or stained, then a replacement can be made in a matter of hours.

Benefits of Crowns

There are many different reasons why a patient might want to consider dental crowns. One of the biggest benefits of these devices is the fact that they are going to protect your damaged teeth from additional chips, cracks, and stains. They might also prevent the spread of diseased material if you have one or more teeth that are infected.

The entire process of creating a crown can be completed in a single day, and they often last for years with the proper aftercare.

If you have extensive tooth damage and would like to improve your smile, then you might be the perfect candidate for dental crowns. In a single appointment, you could fully restore the appearance of your teeth and prevent further damage.