What are dental crowns?
Dental crowns are caps attached to damaged teeth or implants. They’re one of the most common dental restoration options — they protect damaged teeth, serve as a prosthetic when you lose a tooth, and cover the deformities of your actual teeth. They’re made of metal, porcelain, or other materials. If the dental crown is attached to the molars, they’ll rarely be visible, but a front tooth crown is highly visible. As such, you should ideally get a porcelain tooth crown for the front teeth. When you get a porcelain tooth crown, it’s specifically designed according to the shade, color, and shape of your other teeth, allowing it to blend completely with your natural teeth. When choosing a dental crown for a front tooth, you must focus on natural aesthetics over all other concerns.
What are the types of crowns?
You can get various types of crowns, including porcelain crowns, ceramic crowns, zirconia crowns, metallic crowns, composite resin crowns, and a combination of different materials. Each crown has its unique advantages and drawbacks. Porcelain and ceramic crowns are suitable for the front teeth because they look natural — porcelain resembles the shade and texture of enamel, making it the most natural-looking material for crowns. However, metal is suitable for a molar crown because it’s strong, and the anterior teeth involve the strongest bite force. You can also get a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown to get the stretch of metallic crowns and the natural appearance of a porcelain crown. Your dentist will discuss all your dental crown options during your appointment to guide you correctly.
What are the benefits of dental crowns?
- Support and protect a tooth that’s damaged or has severe dental decay.
- Protect a tooth from further damage.
- Root canal crowns protect the weakened tooth after the pulp tissues are removed.
- Hold a cracked or broken tooth together.
- Replace the visible portion of a missing tooth by sitting atop a dental implant.
- Improve the cosmetic appearance of a discolored, cracked, or misshaped tooth.
Who needs a tooth crown?
- Someone with a cavity that’s too large for a dental filling or onlay.
- Someone with a severely worn tooth.
- Someone who has just undergone a root canal.
- Someone who wants to improve the appearance of a tooth.
- Someone who wants to replace a missing tooth and has a single-tooth implant.
What is the dental crown procedure?
The traditional dental crown procedure involves two visits — the first for preparation and impression and the second for the dental crown placement. The following is an overview of the dental crown procedure from start to finish.
- Your tooth is examined by the dentist — this might involve x-rays of the tooth.
- A mold of your tooth is taken to prepare the impression.
- The dentist discusses your dental crown options, including the materials and shade.
- The dentist identifies the ideal shade of your surrounding teeth to ensure the crown looks natural.
- After the impression, your affected tooth is trimmed down into a stub to support the tooth crown.
- A temporary crown is placed over the prepared tooth until the final crown is prepared.
- The impressions are sent to a laboratory for preparation, which should take a few weeks.
- During your second appointment, the dentist cements the dental crown to your tooth.
- Final adjustments are made to the crown, including polishing its surface.
- You can return home with a permanent dental crown.
Can I get a crown in just one appointment?
Some of the most advanced dental clinics have started using advanced technologies to prepare the dental crown at the office during your sessions. As such, you can get a same-day dental crown during a single extended session — you don’t need to wait weeks for the new crown. However, only some people are eligible for same-day crowns. The following is an overview of the same-day crown procedure:
- The dentist examines your teeth to determine the type of crown necessary.
- Digital pictures are taken for comparison and treatment planning.
- A digital scan provides 3D images of your teeth, allowing the dentist to curate the crown.
- A 3D scanner and printer produce the dental crown within an hour or two.
- Meanwhile, the dentist prepared your tooth — filing away the external surfaces to accommodate the crown.
- Once the crown is prepared, it’s cemented in place.
- The dentist makes final adjustments to the crown.
- The whole procedure concludes in a single 2-4 hour session.
How long does a permanent crown last?
Permanent crowns generally last 10 to 30 years, but you can extend their lifetime with proper maintenance and care. Fortunately, maintenance for dental crowns is no different from maintenance for your regular teeth. You must brush regularly, floss regularly, rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash, and go for regular dental cleanings. If you follow optimal oral hygiene, your dental crowns can even last a lifetime.
What is the normal size for a crown on a front tooth?
- The size of crowns for central incisors ranges from 9.10 to 9.24 mm.
- The size of crowns for canines ranges from 7.90 to 8.06 mm.
- The size of crowns for lateral incisors ranges from 7.07 to 7.38 mm.
- The size of crowns for premolars is usually 7.84 mm.
How can I schedule my dental crown procedure?
URBN Dental is one of the most reputable dental clinics for dental crowns and restoration in Houston, TX. We provide various types of dental crowns, using the latest and most effective dental crown procedures. We also provide a porcelain tooth crown to ensure the crown looks completely natural, blending in with your surrounding teeth. You can schedule an appointment online to discuss your dental crown options.