What is a dental crown? 5 Reasons You Would Need a Crown

A dental crown is a common restorative procedure in modern dentistry, offering a solution for damaged or decayed teeth. If you’ve been told you need a dental crown, you might have questions about what they are, how they work, and what to expect during the procedure.

At WA Dental Office, we believe in educating our patients about their treatment options. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide about what a dental crown is and how they are placed. If you have additional questions after reading, don’t hesitate to contact our team of dental experts.

Understanding Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. The crown completely encases the visible portion of your tooth above the gum line, effectively becoming your tooth’s new outer surface. A dental crown is custom-made to match your natural teeth in color and shape, creating a seamless smile. They serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, allowing you to chew properly while improving the look of damaged teeth.

5 Common Materials Used for a Dental Crown

• Porcelain or Ceramic: These crowns provide the best natural color match to your existing teeth. They’re an excellent choice for front teeth and for people with metal allergies. Porcelain crowns are durable but may be more prone to chipping than other materials.
• Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal: These crowns combine the natural appearance of porcelain with the strength of metal. They’re very durable but sometimes the metal edge can show as a dark line near the gumline.
• Metal Alloys: Including gold, platinum, or base-metal alloys (like nickel or chromium), metal crowns are extremely durable and require minimal tooth removal. They rarely chip or break and can withstand biting and chewing forces well. The main drawback is their metallic color.
• Zirconia: These newer crowns combine strength similar to metal with the aesthetics of porcelain. They’re highly resistant to fracture and wear, making them suitable for back teeth.
• Resin: Less expensive than other crown types, resin crowns wear down more quickly and are more prone to fractures than other materials. They’re often used for temporary crowns.

When Do You Need a Dental Crown

Is it painful to get a dental crown? Understanding the Process

Getting a dental crown is generally not considered a painful procedure. Before any work begins, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding gum tissue. After the anesthetic wears off, you might notice some sensitivity or mild discomfort, especially if you had a root canal or significant decay. This temporary sensitivity typically subsides within a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications if needed.

What Happens During the Dental Crown Procedure

• First Appointment: Examination and Preparation – Your dentist examines your tooth and takes X-rays to check the roots and surrounding bone. If no additional treatments like root canal are needed, the tooth is numbed and prepared by removing outer surfaces to make room for the crown.
• Impressions – After reshaping, impressions of your tooth are taken to create an exact model for the crown. These may be traditional putty impressions or digital scans, depending on your dentist’s technology.
• Temporary Crown Placement – While your permanent crown is being crafted in a dental laboratory (usually 2-3 weeks), a temporary crown is placed to protect your prepared tooth and maintain functionality.
• Second Appointment: Permanent Crown Placement – Once your permanent crown arrives, the temporary crown is removed, and the new crown is checked for fit, color, and bite alignment before being permanently cemented into place.
• Final Adjustments – Your dentist makes any necessary adjustments to ensure the crown feels comfortable and your bite is properly aligned before you leave.

Is it better to get an implant or a crown?

When Should You Consider Getting an Implant over a Crown

The decision between a dental implant and a dental crown depends largely on whether your natural tooth can be saved. Implants replace the entire tooth including the root, while crowns preserve and cap existing teeth. Here’s when you might consider an implant instead of a crown:

• When the natural tooth cannot be saved – If your tooth is severely damaged below the gum line, fractured at the root, or has failed previous root canal treatment, extraction and implant placement may be the better option.
• For long-term stability and bone preservation – Dental implants stimulate the jawbone during chewing, which helps prevent bone loss that typically occurs after tooth extraction. This provides better long-term oral health outcomes.
• When adjacent teeth are healthy – If your adjacent teeth are healthy, an implant allows you to replace a missing tooth without altering those neighboring teeth (unlike a bridge, which requires crowning adjacent teeth).
• For a stand-alone solution – Implants don’t rely on other teeth for support, making them a self-contained solution that won’t put stress on surrounding teeth.
• With sufficient bone structure – Implant placement requires adequate jawbone density. If you have enough bone (or are willing to undergo bone grafting), implants offer a highly successful long-term solution.

Both dental crowns and implants serve important purposes in restorative dentistry. Crowns are ideal when your natural tooth structure is healthy enough to be saved. They’re less invasive, generally less expensive, and require fewer appointments than implants. However, if your tooth cannot be saved or is already missing, a dental implant provides the closest replacement to a natural tooth in terms of appearance, function, and long-term oral health benefits.

How to Care for Your Dental Crown

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste – Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle circular motions around all surfaces of your crowned tooth. This removes plaque and prevents decay at the crown margins where your natural tooth meets the restoration.
• Floss daily around your crown – Slide floss gently between teeth and curve it around the base of the crowned tooth in a C-shape to clean beneath the gumline. This prevents gum disease that could compromise the foundation of your crown.
• Avoid hard and sticky foods – Refrain from chewing ice, hard candies, or extremely sticky foods that could damage or dislodge your crown. Even with durable materials, crowns aren’t indestructible and need protection from excessive force.
• Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth – If you have bruxism (teeth grinding), ask your dentist about a custom nightguard to protect your crown and natural teeth from excessive pressure during sleep.
• Schedule regular dental visits – Visit your dentist every six months for professional cleanings and to have your crown examined for any signs of wear, damage, or decay around the margins.
• Address any issues immediately – If you notice any pain, sensitivity, looseness, or changes in your bite with your crowned tooth, contact your dentist promptly. Early intervention can prevent more serious problems.
• Use an antiseptic mouthwash – Rinse with an alcohol-free antiseptic mouthwash to reduce bacteria around your crown and throughout your mouth, helping to maintain healthy gums that support your restoration.

Conclusion

A dental crown is a versatile restoration that can extend the life of damaged teeth, improve your smile’s appearance, and restore proper chewing function. Whether you need a crown after a root canal, to fix a broken tooth, or for cosmetic enhancement, understanding the procedure helps you make informed decisions about your dental health.

At WA Dental, we’re committed to providing exceptional crown treatments using the highest quality materials and techniques. Our experienced team ensures your comfort throughout the process while delivering results that look natural and function perfectly. Schedule an appointment with us today to discuss whether a dental crown is the right solution for your dental needs.