Tooth decay and damage don’t necessarily lead to tooth extractions. Dental crowns offer a way to protect damaged or decayed teeth and prevent them from having to be extracted. This procedure involves the dentist preparing the affected tooth by removing a minimal amount of enamel and reshaping it. Then, an impression is taken of the tooth using a putty-like material that hardens when placed into the mouth. This impression is then sent off to a lab where a dental crown is produced based on the exact shape and size of the prepared tooth. The crown created at the lab is made out of materials such as metal alloys, porcelain, or composite resin, depending on your individual needs. Keep the following information in mind if you need dental crowns in Burlington.
Tooth Preparation
At your first dental visit, your dentist will take X-rays of the affected tooth and the bone tissue that surrounds it. These X-rays provide information about the condition of your tooth. If you have severe decay or injuries to the pulp inside your tooth, you might need to have a root canal done first. This is done in order to remove decayed tissue and reduce the risk of infection.
After X-rays and a root canal if needed, your dentist will need to prep the surfaces of your tooth, including the sides and top. This helps ensure that your dental crown will fit properly over your tooth. Keep in mind that the amount of tooth that is prepped will depend on the material the crown is made of metal crowns can be made thinner than all white porcelain crowns however metal crowns are more noticeable.
Once your tooth has been prepped to make room for your dental crown, your dentist will make an impression or copy of the tooth. This can be done in several ways but at Dentistry at the Grove we take digital impressions so you can avoid that goopy impression putty! The digital impression will capture the tooth receiving the crown, the teeth on either side and the tooth on the opposite which helps ensure that you’ll have a proper bite with the crown on. After this is done, you’ll receive a temporary dental crown and come back to the office when your permanent dental crown is ready.
Dental Crown Fitting
When you come in for your next visit, your dentist will take the temporary crown off and place your permanent crown on. You might get a local anesthetic to numb your tooth while this is done. Your dentist will make sure that your permanent crown fits comfortably and securely on your tooth before you leave. In many cases, dental crowns are made to match natural teeth closely, so your crown shouldn’t be noticeable when you talk or smile.
If you get a same-day dental crown, you can expect to come in for one visit only instead of two visits. With these crowns, your dentist will take digital images of your tooth, then have a machine at the office create a ceramic permanent dental crown. You’ll be able to have that crown fitted on your tooth at the same visit, so you won’t need a temporary crown.
Contact Us For Dental Crowns in Burlington
If you need dental crowns in Burlington to keep your teeth safe and healthy, contact Dentistry at The Grove today to schedule an appointment. Our dental team can provide you with more information on dental crowns and handle any other dental issues you have.
We receive a lot of questions about dental crowns in Burlington, and while we’re always happy to answer them and address any other inquiries or concerns that our patients have, we thought it would be a good idea to put together a page that discusses them too. We invite you to read over this post and peruse some of the answers to frequently asked questions on crowns and bridges. Here’s a look:
FAQs About Bridges and Dental Crowns in Burlington
Why would I need a dental crown?
Dental crowns are often recommended for a variety of reasons, most commonly, they are used to strengthen a weakened tooth or to protect it from further damage caused by decay, cracks, and chips. A crown can also help to improve the function and appearance of one’s teeth. For example, replacing a filling with a crown can restore normal chewing ability that has been reduced due to the size of the cavity. Whether your goal is protection, re-establishing normal functioning, or simply improving aesthetics, getting a crown can be an ideal solution for those in need of superior oral care.
What’s the difference between a crown and a bridge?
Simply put, a crown is used when there is some sort of structural issue with a tooth, like if the tooth is cracked or fractured. Teeth may also require crowns after a root canal has been done. A bridge, on the other hand, is used when one tooth or multiple teeth are missing and are best described as several crowns linked together to replace the missing tooth or teeth. How long do crowns and bridges last?
As long as they’re cared for properly, both crowns and bridges can last for upwards of 15 years before they need attention. However, most crowns and bridges last for about five years. But proper care is essential to longevity. If your oral health care is not up to par, crowns and bridges may not last long before they need to be repaired or replaced.
What’s the best way to ensure the long-term stability of crowns and bridges?
As we hinted at in the above answer, in order to maximize the lifespan of crowns and bridges, you need to care for them properly. This means adhering to a good oral hygiene routine of brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. If that sounds simple it is! Good oral hygiene practices can help lengthen the lifetime of all your dental work.
How long does a dental crown last?
Dental crowns are a great way to help restore the look and function of a damaged tooth. Generally, when cared for properly a dental crown can last between five and fifteen years. It is important to remember that a dental crown does not stop decay from happening in the underlying tooth structure, so regular visits to the dentist are essential for ensuring both the health of your teeth, and longevity of your crowns. Regular brushing and flossing habits also play an important role in maintaining your dental crowns, as well as avoiding excessive chewing on hard substances such as ice or popcorn.
Is it obvious to see whether or not I have a crown or bridge?
Today’s crowns and bridges look so much like the real thing that unless you tell someone that you have had the dental work done, they won’t even know it. This is largely due to the advances in technology so crowns and bridges can be made entirely of porcelain or ceramic so are incredibly beautiful and can blend in seamlessly with your natural teeth. Crowns and bridges can also be made of gold, and while this is not as beautiful as porcelain, gold crowns are very compatible with your natural teeth.
What’s the difference between a temporary crown and a permanent crown?
This is a question that we answer very thoroughly at our dental crowns in Burlington practice, as it involves how crowns are placed on teeth. We’ll place your crown in two, separate visits. During your first visit, we’ll shape the tooth and then take a digital scan of your tooth. This scan is then sent off to a local dental lab for fabrication of your crown. Meanwhile, we’ll fit your tooth with a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready. The temporary crown’s role is to essentially protect the tooth until we can place the permanent one. Your permanent crown will be ready in approximately 8-10 business days. At your second we will remove the temporary crown and permanently cement the permanent one.