What Are Dental Crowns? A Guide to Their Benefits and Uses

Your teeth work hard every day, and they can suffer from damage, decay, or wear over time. When a tooth is weakened but not beyond repair, a dental crown can help restore its function and appearance. But what exactly are dental crowns, and how can they benefit your smile?

What Is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown provides custom replacement protection for weakened teeth, allowing them to regain their natural shape, size and structural strength. Because it matches your smile precisely, the crown offers a natural appearance and everlasting protection.

When Are Dental Crowns Needed?

Dental crowns serve multiple purposes in both restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Your dentist will suggest using a crown for several specific reasons:

• Protecting a Weak Tooth: A crown can prevent further damage or fractures if a tooth has suffered extensive decay or a large filling.
• Restoring a Broken or Worn-Down Tooth: A dental crown rebuilds tooth structure weakened by grinding and chipping damage to the tooth.
• Covering a Tooth After a Root Canal: Teeth become more fragile after treatment. A crown helps protect and strengthen them.
• Enhancing the Appearance of a Tooth: A crown improves the appearance of teeth that require cosmetic attention due to severe discolouration, irregular shapes, or any visible deficiencies.
• Supporting a Dental Bridge: Crowns anchor dental bridges, which replace missing teeth by connecting to adjacent natural teeth.
• Capping a Dental Implant: If you have a dental implant, a crown is the visible part of your new tooth.

Types of Dental Crowns

Crowns come in different materials, each with its advantages:

• Porcelain or Ceramic Crowns: These offer a natural appearance and are ideal for front teeth.
• Metal Crowns (Gold or Alloy): These are highly durable, resistant to wear, and often used for back teeth.
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) Crowns combine strength with aesthetics, making them popular.
• Zirconia Crowns: Known for their strength and lifelike appearance, they are a durable and aesthetic option.
• Resin Crowns: A more affordable option but less durable than other materials.

The Dental Crown Procedure

The procedure for getting dental crowns necessitates two appointments.

First Visit: Preparation

1. The initial dental examination with X-ray imaging helps your dentist evaluate the dental health of the tooth.
2. Your dentist shapes the tooth to create enough space for installing the crown.
3. A customised crown design begins after using impressions as a foundation.
4. During the permanent crown fabrication process, the dental professional installs a protective device to shield the affected tooth.

Second Visit: Placement

1. The temporary crown is removed.
2. A checking process takes place to ensure the fit and visual quality of the permanent crown.
3. Once satisfied, your dentist cements the crown in place.

Some dental offices offer same-day crowns using CAD/CAM technology, allowing for faster restoration.

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns provide numerous advantages, including:

• Restored Strength and Function: Crowns allow you to bite and chew comfortably without worrying about further damage.
• Aesthetic Enhancement: They blend naturally with your existing teeth, improving your smile’s appearance.
• Long-Lasting Protection: With proper care, crowns can last 10–15 years or longer.
• Improved Oral Health: By covering a damaged tooth, crowns prevent decay and bacterial infections.
• Comfortable and Natural Feel: Custom-made to fit your mouth, crowns feel just like natural teeth.

Caring for Your Dental Crowns

To extend the lifespan of your crown, follow these care tips:

• Daily tooth brushing with flossing helps preserve healthy oral hygiene.
• Chewing hard foods and using teeth as tools should be avoided to prevent damage to the teeth.
• Ensure you visit your dentist for routine examinations and dental cleaning appointments.
• A nightguard should be worn for grinding teeth protection to reduce crown wear.

Final Thoughts

Dental crowns restore and protect damaged teeth, helping you maintain a healthy and confident smile. The procedure improves the functional solidity and aesthetic beauty of your teeth regardless of the reason you need a crown.

If you're looking for or considering dental crowns in Gordon, our experienced team is here to provide professional care and personalised solutions. Schedule your consultation today to learn more about how crowns benefit your smile!