Dental crowns are long-lasting restorations that can improve the chewing ability, strength, and appearance of a decayed or damaged tooth. A crown can last as long as 25 to 30 years with proper care. On average, a dental crown lasts from five to 15 years.
Why Do I Need a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a cost-effective restoration that can provide natural results for a fraction of the cost of an implant, bridge, or partial denture. If your tooth has enough natural structure to support a crown, your dentist will recommend it.
Types of teeth that frequently need crowns include:
- Broken teeth due to an accident, trauma, or weakness
- Heavily decayed teeth that the dentist cannot repair with a filling alone
- Teeth that have undergone root canals
Advantages of Dental Crowns
Dentists prefer crowns over other restorations because they are durable, attractive, and less expensive than other methods.
With a crown, you can preserve your bite force and chewing ability. You may need to be cautious with certain hard or sticky foods on your crown, but in most cases, you can eat what you like.
Crowns can save natural teeth from extraction. When a tooth falls out or is extracted, the root is compromised, and the jawbone may deteriorate. A crown can keep the jawbone stimulated and prevent future bone loss.
Crowns take only two appointments to make and place, from the initial impressions to receiving the final product. Contrast this with the lengthy process of getting dentures or implants. In just a few weeks' time, you could have an attractive new restoration.
The Dental Crown Process
Getting a dental crown is easy and painless. First, the dentist takes an impression of your teeth. The impression may be physical or digital. They then prepare your tooth for the crown, removing decayed or broken parts. Depending on how much damaged material they need to remove, they may need to construct a post for the crown. The dentist then takes another impression and makes a temporary crown for you to wear between appointments.
The impressions go to the dental lab, where technicians create an attractive restoration. When the crown arrives from the lab, you will visit the dentist to have the crown fitted and cemented in place.
Available Types of Crowns
Ceramic Crowns
Most crowns today are made of an advanced porcelain or ceramic material. This tooth-colored material blends in and provides a natural-looking restoration.
Metal Crowns
Metal crowns can be a cost-effective option for back teeth. Children with damaged baby teeth sometimes receive metal crowns.
Gold Crowns
Gold crowns are both durable and attractive.
Call Chagrin Falls Dental
If your tooth is broken or decayed, you can restore it to its prior function and appearance using a crown. To learn more about our dental crown services and make an appointment, call our office at 440-247-8641. We can answer your questions and help you decide on the best method for restoring your tooth.