When Can You Consider Getting Dental Crowns?

Are you considering getting dental crowns for your teeth? The very fact that you are contemplating the need for crowns suggests that you have extensively damaged or decayed teeth that need to be restored to improve your appearance and smile. You can consider getting them anytime you wish by visiting your dentist and requesting for them. However, you must also consider the financial implications of getting the crowns and choose a material that is strong and will last with you for a long time.

If you need a crown on a molar that is rarely visible you can choose a crown that is strong and made from metal or porcelain fused to metal. However, if your requirement is for the front tooth a porcelain crown will be better suited because they are designed to match closely with your other teeth.

Why Are You Searching for Dental Crowns?

Do you have a large cavity in your mouth that cannot be filled? Do you have severely worn teeth that have either cracked or weakened? Have you undergone a root canal treatment that would have rendered your tooth fragile and needing protection? In any of these cases, the best option for you would be to discuss with your dentist for the placement of a tooth crown.

You will be spoiled for choices when selecting a crown for your tooth. Apart from porcelain crowns, you will also find crowns fabricated from ceramic, composite resin, metal, porcelain fused to metal and a zirconia crown. You may select any crown you wish after a consultation with your dentist who will consider factors like:

• The location of your tooth where the crown needs to be placed.
• How much of your tooth will be visible when you smile after the crown is placed.
• What is the function of the tooth needing the crown?
• How much natural tooth exists in your mouth and the color of the surrounding teeth.

How Long Will It Take to Get Dental Crowns?

The time taken for getting dental crowns will depend on the dentist you visit for this procedure. If you have chosen wisely and are visiting a dentist that has invested in the latest technology you can have same-day crowns placed on your teeth in just about 2 to 4 hours. However, if you are visiting a dentist without that latest technology you may have to wait for a few weeks before the permanent crown will be placed on your tooth.

Placement of Traditional Crowns

If you have chosen traditional crowns you must endure the preparation of your tooth by the dentist for the placement which may involve taking x-rays and making a mold of your tooth and mouth before moving ahead. The outer layer of your tooth will be filed down by the dentist to make space for the dental crown and another impression will be taken of the prepared and surrounding teeth. The impressions will be forwarded to the dental laboratory for fabricating the crowns. As your tooth would have been weakened further by the filing the dentist will place a temporary crown on your tooth to protect it.

It will be several weeks before the dental laboratory returns the permanent crown to the dentist at which time you will be required to pay another visit for having the temporary crown removed and the permanent crown placed. The permanent placement will be similar to having a veneer crown in Bradford placed on your tooth because the dentist will simply remove the temporary crown and cement the permanent one over the tooth.

If you have opted for the same the procedure the step with the temporary crown can be skipped. Dentists obtain digital pictures of your mouth to create a crown right at the dental office from a block of ceramic. This process can be completed in approximately 3 to 4 hours but the technology is not available with all dentists and is also expensive than traditional crowns.

Caring for Your Dental Crowns

After spending a significant sum for dental crowns you cannot afford to neglect them because providing careful attention can help to prolong the life of the crowns. To protect the crowns and prolong their life that is suggested that you:

• Begin brushing your teeth two times every day by using toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
• Floss every day to keep your teeth in prime condition.
• Avoid chewing on hard foods especially if you have porcelain crowns on your front teeth because they can damage the placement.
• Discuss with your dentist at Holland River Dental if you are clenching and grinding your teeth when sleeping because they can provide you with a night guard  to protect your teeth.

When you take proper care of your dental crowns they will last with you for a long time to justify the investment you made to improve your appearance and smile.