What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a tooth shaped “cap” which perfectly fits over a tooth, restoring the tooth to its original size, shape and color. Crowns help to strengthen and protect the underlying tooth while restoring both function and appearance.

When is a dental crown indicated?

Many patients ask this question, and the answer requires a consultation. To find out if a dental crown is right for you, I invite you to call 817-380-3593 today to schedule an appointment to discuss your needs and the options available.

If you have a broken or weak tooth, please call today to avoid further damage and potential tooth loss.

What is a dental crown used for?

Dental crowns have six main uses.

1. Repairs: Dental crowns provide patients a solution that cover and repair a fractured or significantly damaged tooth.
2. Protection: In some cases, a patient may have a filling or inlay procedure that leaves very little surrounding tooth support. To prevent an inevitable break, a dental crown will be used to protect the filling and underlying root and jaw structures.
3. Strengthen: When a patient undergoes a root canal a permanent filling is used to plug and prevent future infection and contamination. Because the filling is not intended to withstand chewing forces, a dental crown is placed to reinforce the tooth so that the patient can chew and converse normally.
4. Restoration: Dental implants are a root substitute that are placed directly in the jawbone to replace a missing tooth. From the implant, an abutment is installed upon which a dental crown is seated. This dental crown permanently restores the patient’s tooth, blending in naturally with the surrounding teeth. Click on the link to read more about dental implants. 
5. Aesthetic Improvement: As mentioned before, a dental crown provides a permanent solution for broken or damaged teeth. However a patient may have a single, crooked tooth and would like to have a more aesthetically pleasing smile. In this case, a patient may choose a dental crown instead of braces for a more immediate aesthetic improvement.
6. Bridgework: For patients who have lost a tooth, but decide not to have a dental implant to replace it, a bridge is then placed to fill in the gap where the tooth is lost. A bridge requires capping the two teeth next to the gap so that the filler tooth has a platform to rest upon.

If you have been considering a dental crown, or would like to know more how you can benefit from a crown, please call the dental offices of Dr. Marty Cloin at 817-380-3593 to schedule an appointment.

What is a dental crown made of?

As one of dentistry’s most adaptable restoration solutions, today’s dental crowns are made from a variety of materials. They can be metal, porcelain fused to metal, ceramic, or resin. Each type of dental crown has its own unique qualities and benefits.

Metal crowns are typically made from gold alloy, palladium, or other base metal alloy. This kind of crown requires the least amount of underlying tooth structure to be removed or reshaped. Metal dental crowns also withstand long term wear from biting and chewing, while rarely chipping or breaking. The main thing to consider with a metal dental crown is the appearance of the metal; this is why metal crowns are mostly recommended for molars, because they are least seen of all the teeth.

With porcelain fused to metal crowns, porcelain is fused to a metal crown and placed over the tooth. An immediate advantage is the ability to have your dental crown color matched to surrounding teeth. This makes porcelain fused crowns great candidates for both front and back sections of your mouth.

A ceramic dental crown offers a patient the highest level of cosmetic improvement because of its ability to color match surrounding teeth. With a ceramic crown there is no underlying metal, so the ceramic material does not have to compete against darker metal colors, and as the crown ages, there is no risk of having a metal line appear, as in the case of porcelain fused crowns.

Resin crowns provide patients with a more affordable option. And though they are less resilient than the other options, patients with resin crowns are still able to enjoy a color matched crown.

What is the dental crown procedure?

The procedure for placing a crown typically requires just one or two visits to my office.

During our first visit we can determine your dental crown solution based on your needs.

At this step we will examine the area, take X-rays to check on the root system of the crown candidate and its surround teeth, and determine if any other procedure should be performed to ensure the success and longevity of your crown.

If a root canal is required, it will be performed and a temporary crown will be placed until the permanent crown has been produced.

Otherwise, a local anesthetic will be administered to numb the tooth and surrounding area. Then, depending on the patient’s choice of crown, reshaping of the tooth along its chewing surfaces and sides will be performed to create the seat for the permanent crown.

After the tooth has been reshaped, impressions will be taken of it and the surrounding and opposing teeth to ensure the best fit and shape of the new crown. This ensures that your new crown will also not change or affect your bite.

From there, the impressions are sent to my dental laboratory where the crown is produced. Depending on the material, the crown will be produced to match the surrounding teeth.

Also, note that a temporary crown will be placed to protect the underlying tooth and root while the crown is being produced.

Now is a time when a tooth whitening procedure is recommended. Because of its material a crown cannot change color so having your teeth whitened will ensure that your crown will match whiter teeth. Click on the link to read more about tooth whitening. 

When the crown returns to my office, typically after two to three weeks, the temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown placed during the follow-up appointment.

If you are curious about the process and would like to know more, or are ready to schedule an appointment, please call me at my office at 817-380-3593.

How long will my dental crown last?

Depending on the patient’s choice of material and care, a dental crown can be expected to last anywhere from five to 15 years. Caring for a crown is no different from caring for your normal teeth; daily brushings and flossing will ensure for the overall health of your mouth and your new crown.

What do I do if my dental crown falls off?

If your crown has fallen off from its seat, first be sure to remove it from your mouth and place it in a safe location where it will not be lost.

Then, call my office at 817-380-3593 as soon as possible and I will make it a priority to see you quickly.

If you are out of town or it is impossible for us to see you immediately, you may be able to temporarily re-cement your crown with a product from your local drug store such as Recapit.

Upon your visit I will be able to restore your crown to normal function.

In the interim, be sure not to chew foods that are sticky or hard. Temporary cement is weaker than professional grade cement and is not intended as a permanent solution.

It is important to take care of your teeth. If you are in the Arlington or Mansfield area and are ready for the regained confidence you will feel from a well-done dental crown, please don’t hesitate to call my office 817-380-3593 for more information or to schedule an appointment.