A Guide To Taking Care Of Dental Crowns

1 December 2015
Categories: Dentist, Blog

Taking care of your teeth is a lifelong commitment. But sometimes despite the most strict hygiene routine, you may find yourself in need of dental care due to accidents or even genetics. A dental crown is one of the procedure you may find yourself in need of.

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a type of protective cover that is tooth-shaped and fits snugly over the tooth that it is placed over. The dentist will add a cement to the crown to make sure it stays in place. Once the crown is on the tooth, it gives the tooth an extra layer of strength and also reshapes a tooth that has been broken.

Who needs dental crowns?

There are a large number of reasons you may require a dental crown. Some of these reasons include:

To attach to a dental bridge and hold it in place
To cover up a tooth that needs a filling but doesn't have enough tooth left to do so
To fix a tooth that is badly broken down due to damage
To add protection to a tooth that has been cracked and needs to be held together with a cap
In children, to cover a tooth and save it from decay

What do crowns look like?

Dental crowns come in a variety of colors and materials. The type of material used may be based on the reason for the crown, the preference of the dentist, or a patient's budget. Here are a few types of crown materials and when they might be used:

Porcelain – Porcelain crowns are popular because they can be designed to match the natural color of your teeth. A lot of adults prefer to have natural looking teeth as opposed to shiny metal, particularly for teeth near the front of the mouth.

Stainless steel – Stainless steel crowns have a shiny metal appearance and are usually used for a short amount of time on permanent teeth. The dentist will normally put this type of crown on while constructing a more permanent crown for you.

Metal – Metal is a strong material used for crowns that can withstand a lot of wear and tear without breaking down. They are a popular choice because they do not chip like other type of materials.

How do you care for crowns?

If you are wearing a temporary crown, you need to avoid chewing sticky substances like gum, taffy, or caramel which can rip the crown out. You may also want to use the other side of your mouth for eating while you are wearing a temporary crown. The dentist (like those at Pinon Hills Dental) will also give you a full list of care instructions to make sure your crown stays safely in your mouth.

About Me

When I was a child and teenager, I always left the dentist's office with the great feeling of having no cavities. When I went away to college out-of-state, I had to switch to a new dentist in my area. It seemed like I was suddenly getting cavities and started wonder what my new dentist "was doing wrong". When I spoke to my mother about it, she reminded me that the reason I never had cavities when I was living it home was because she always made sure my siblings and I brushed and flossed daily and didn't eat too much sugar. I then realized that my late-night study sessions drinking sugary soda and my suddenly bad brushing habits were the true causes of my cavities. I have since learned a lot more about dental health I am eager to share with anyone who needs the advice!