What Are Dental Crown Restorations and How Do They Function?

Apr 01, 2020

Dental crown restorations are procedures dentists regularly perform. Thousands of people have crowns placed to fix different kinds of dental problems every single day. Despite the procedure being common, not many people understand what they are or how they function.

People should not be afraid of getting dental crowns Calgary because it is a straightforward procedure. Here is all the information you should have about dental crowns and why you shouldn’t hesitate to get them if needed.

What Are Dental Crowns?

Fixed prosthetic restorations made to restore a damaged tooth to its original shape and function, are known as dental crowns. They are permanently bonded or cemented to teeth that have cracked, decayed, or have been damaged. Sometimes they can extend down onto the surface of the root but generally replace the visible part of a natural tooth and is the reason why they are called crowns.

When affixed on the tooth, the crown fully encases the portion of the damaged tooth that is visible above the gum line. Crowns are custom developed to fit over each tooth. They can be made from different materials such as ceramic, porcelain, metal, gold, and resin.

When Are Dental Crowns Recommended?

Our prosthodontist uses dental crowns for various situations. Crowns can protect weak teeth, restore broken teeth, support teeth with large fillings, and prevent cracked teeth from breaking further. Variants of crowns can also be used to hold dental bridges in place. In all these cases, support or replacement to a structure that does not work by itself is provided by the crown.

Dental crowns are effective solutions whenever teeth are badly damaged, cracked, broken, or misshapen. Crowns can restore the appearance, shape, and alignment of a damaged tooth. After it is cemented in place, the dental crown is usually the only visible part of the tooth. Crowns are made to appear like natural teeth, and therefore they will blend in with your other teeth.

How Do Dental Crowns Function?

Dental crowns fit over the teeth like a cap and protect what they are covering. They are bonded in position and after being attached, they act as a fresh top for the tooth to hold it together and block it from breaking apart.

Resilient and durable materials are used when developing crowns. They are created to withstand the ordeal of chewing as efficiently as the other teeth in your mouth. You can consider the crown as a cover for the visible portion of your tooth. After our prosthodontist in Calgary cements the crown to the damaged tooth, it becomes a part of the tooth.

The Installation of Dental Crowns

If you have chosen to get the crowns from a prosthodontist near you, they will first administer some anesthetic to numb the tooth and the surrounding gum tissue getting the crown. They will then be using a dental drill to remove the outer surface of the tooth from all sides and the top to create sufficient room for the crown to be installed. After the removal, if sufficient tooth is not left to support the crown, a crown buildup will be added to create a stable foundation on which the crown can be cemented. An impression of the tooth will be taken using the conventional dental impression material or a digital scanner. The impression will be sent to our in-house dental laboratory for developing the crown.

The crown will be returned by our dental laboratory in approximately two-three weeks after the impression is sent to them. In the meanwhile, the prosthodontist will install a temporary crown over the tooth to protect it. You will have a second appointment for the delivery of the permanent crown. During this appointment, the temporary crown will be removed, and the new crown adjusted to properly fit your tooth and bite. Special cement to affix the crown to the tooth will be used. The crown will be firmly attached to the tooth as the dental cement cures.

How Do Dental Crowns Help?

Dental crowns in Calgary, AB, can help with the shape, strength, functionality, and appearance of a damaged tooth. You will be able to use your tooth to chew again after you have a crown placed over it without the fear of risking any damage to what’s beneath it. Dental crowns can protect the vulnerable part of the tooth by holding it together and shielding it from damage.