Crowns are a dental restoration for damaged, broken, or root canal treated teeth using fixed prosthetics to strengthen the tooth, making it beautiful again and functional as before.
What is a Crown? Why do you need a “Crown”?
A crown, or Dental Crown, is a treatment and protection method that covers or caps a damaged tooth, such as decayed, broken, chipped, or incomplete teeth, to strengthen that tooth. Crowns can also be used to improve the shape of the tooth to make it more beautiful and orderly by using all-metal, all-ceramic, or a combination of metal and ceramic materials matched to the natural tooth color to make the tooth look beautiful and strong. Additionally, crowns are commonly placed after root canal treatment to protect the tooth and restore its durability and full function.
Which type of crown is suitable for you?
- Metal-Ceramic Crowns – Suitable for both front and back teeth because the material is opaque, preventing light from passing through, making the crown look more natural. They are also strong, durable, and have a long lifespan.
- All-Ceramic Crowns – These crowns closely resemble natural teeth due to their translucency. They can mimic various tooth shapes and colors while being strong and long-lasting, comparable to metal-ceramic crowns.
Steps of Crown Treatment
- The dentist will check the bite and gum condition, take X-rays, and plan the treatment. The tooth will be prepared under local anesthesia according to the type of crown, impressions will be taken, and the tooth color will be selected. A temporary crown will then be placed for the patient.
- After 3-5 days, the crown will be tried on. Minor adjustments may be made to ensure a perfect fit. The bite, gum margins, the junction between the crown edge and enamel, contact points between the crown and natural teeth, and the crown color will be checked. Then, the crown will be cemented using dental adhesive.
- After the crown placement, the dentist will schedule a follow-up appointment to check the condition of the crown and tooth, and then regular check-ups every 6 months will be arranged.
How to Care for Your Crown?
Caring for a crown is similar to caring for natural teeth: brush properly, floss regularly, have oral health check-ups every 6 months, and if any abnormalities are found, see your dentist immediately. Do not delay as it may cause further tooth damage.
Advantages of Crowns
- Can restore the shape and color of teeth to their original beauty.
- More durable and stronger than regular filling materials.
- Helps prevent fractures in teeth with large cavities, root canal treated teeth, or teeth with large restorations.
It can be said that taking care of oral and dental health is very important. Proper cleaning and dental check-ups every 6-12 months are recommended. If any abnormalities are found, promptly visit a dentist for examination and treatment. This is the key to having good oral health and strong teeth!
