Cosmetic Procedure
A dental crown is a cap placed over a tooth to restore its appearance and function. Crowns can protect decayed teeth from breaking, hold together cracked teeth, or cover up unsightly or misshapen teeth. They are also used to hold dental bridges in place, and as a temporary step in a dental implant operation. Crowns are sometimes a good choice for children who have difficulty maintaining oral hygiene, protecting their baby teeth until they fall out. Pacific Dental Care in Glendale offers all types of crowns for children and adults, and with Glendale and Burbank dentist Dr. Martirosyan’s expertise, your crown can be installed quickly and easily.
What are the types of dental crowns?
Dental crowns can be made out of many materials:
- Stainless steel crowns are prefabricated, and used on adult teeth only temporarily while the permanent crown is manufactured. This type of crown is the preferred choice for children since it is easy to install and cost-effective. When your child loses their baby teeth, the crown will fall out along with the tooth.
- Porcelain crowns best resemble natural teeth. They are also a good choice for people with metal allergies.
- Resin crowns are inexpensive, though they are more prone to wearing down and fracturing than other types.
- In porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, an outer layer of porcelain covers an inner layer of metal. This type of crown offers the natural appearance of porcelain crowns with the durability of metal crowns. Sometimes, if the porcelain chips or the gums recede, the metal layer can become visible around the gumline.
- Crowns can be made of other metals like gold, platinum, or base-metal alloys. This is the strongest, longest-lasting type of crown, with the main disadvantage being its metallic color.
What is the dental crown procedure?
Installing a dental crown generally takes two appointments. The first appointment is for examining and preparing your teeth. We begin by taking X-rays to check the roots of your teeth for decay. If your tooth is decayed enough to expose its pulp, a root canal may be necessary before you receive a crown. Next, the chewing surface and sides of your tooth are filed down to provide space for the crown. If a large portion of the tooth is missing, it will be rebuilt using filling material to support the crown.
We then take an impression of the tooth receiving the crown, which is sent to the dental lab that manufactures the crown. This process usually takes two to three weeks. Between appointments, you will be provided a temporary crown made of acrylic. On the second appointment, we apply a local anesthetic and cement the permanent crown in place.
Dental crowns last from five to fifteen years, depending on the amount of wear and tear and your chewing habits. Avoid putting stress on your teeth by grinding or clenching them, chewing hard objects, or opening packages with your teeth. Teeth that are crowned are still vulnerable to decay, so continue your rigorous oral hygiene routine, brushing and flossing daily. Call Pacific Dental Care to learn more about dental crown installation as well as other cosmetic dental procedures. We will be happy to answer questions and schedule a consultation.
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Dr. Marine Martirosyan, DDS and her dental team will work with you to find the best solution to give you the best results.