Cincinnati Dental Crowns
Dental crowns provide a feasible option for people with damaged or weakened teeth. Crowns are devices that dentists use to cover or cap damaged or decayed teeth. If you think you might need a crown or want to learn more, your dentist can assess your situation and discuss your options.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are permanent prosthetic devices cemented to teeth or dental implants. They restore damaged and weakened teeth and provide enhanced protection. Once a dentist places a dental crown, it can’t be removed.
Some crowns are made of porcelain or ceramic to match the color of the patient’s natural teeth. Other crowns are made of gold or metal alloys, which are often stronger than porcelain and better suited for back teeth that do the heavier chewing. Sometimes, a dentist might bond porcelain to a metal form to strengthen the tooth and improve its appearance.
What’s the Difference Between a Crown and an Implant Crown?
We already explained that a crown can be placed on top of a natural tooth or serve as part of a dental implant. For clarity, a crown is the cap placed on top of an existing tooth. In contrast, an implant crown replaces the tooth, and it’s attached to an implant. The implant crown looks and functions like the real thing.
A dentist will examine your tooth and recommend either a crown or implant crown, depending on the severity and nature of the damage and other factors. To make an informed decision, it’s essential to know the pros and cons of each option:
Dental crowns:
- Pro: Less extensive procedure
- Pro: Shorter recovery
- Con: Requires replacement after 10-15 years
- Con: Ineffective if underlying tooth is unhealthy or structurally compromised
Implant crowns:
- Pro: Serves as a permanent tooth
- Pro: More durable
- Con: More expensive than crowns
- Con: More lengthy procedure
Dental Crown Treatment and Recovery
You may have questions or concerns about what to expect when you receive a dental crown. Here, we briefly outline the steps from initial consultation through post-procedure recovery.
At your first appointment, which is after your dentist has determined you need a dental crown, they’ll examine your teeth, remove any decay, and reduce the tooth to make room for the crown. Your dentist will also take an impression of the tooth and place a temporary crown. The molded impression is sent to a dental lab, where a technician will fabricate the crown according to the dentist’s specifications.
After the dentist receives the crown from the lab, typically within a few weeks, you’ll come in for another appointment. The dentist will remove the temporary crown and cement the permanent crown to the prepared tooth.
You’ll receive instructions for post-procedure care, and you can expect full recovery to take up to four weeks. During the first day or two, you may experience some soreness and tenderness in and around the new crown. In the next 3-7 days, your gums will heal and adapt to accommodate the crown’s shape. You’ll still feel some sensitivity, but that’s temporary. It’s recommended that you take extra care when brushing and flossing.
During the second week, your sensitivity will linger but gradually decrease. It’s still important to brush gently and to avoid consuming extremely hot or cold foods and drinks. If your sensitivity doesn’t improve or it gets worse, contact your dentist.
Your crown will start to feel natural by the third or fourth week. Your bite will become more uniform, and you should expect any sensitivity to go away by the end of this recovery stage. You should be able to go back to your typical eating and dental hygiene routine.
When Would I Need a Dental Crown?
If you’ve suffered trauma to a tooth or have decay, you might benefit from a dental crown. A crown will restore the tooth’s shape and improve alignment. You may need a dental crown to:
- Cover a tooth where a large filling has left little remaining
- Prevent a weak tooth from cracking
- Restore a fractured tooth
- Provide an anchor to keep a dental bridge in place
- Cover an unsightly tooth, dental implant, or tooth that has had a root canal
Despite their capacity to resolve many dental issues, dental crowns aren’t suitable for everyone. The success of your dental crown hinges on the stability of your underlying tooth and jawbone. If the tooth or bone aren’t healthy enough to support a dental crown, your dentist will recommend a crown implant.
How Long Do Crowns Last?
Once you get a crown, you typically have it for life. Unfortunately, it might come loose or fall out. You can prevent a crown from falling out or becoming damaged by avoiding ice and limiting hard foods.
You can also protect your crown by maintaining good oral hygiene to prevent gum disease and other dental problems. Regular professional cleanings are also critical to preserving your crown and overall smile.
Dental Crowns in the Cincinnati Area
You don’t have to look far for quality crown placement and dental care. Beckham Square Family Dental provides dental crown services in the Cincinnati area. If you want more information about Cincinnati dental crown services or need to schedule an appointment, call our office at 513.489.7800 today. You can also use our online contact form to get in touch with us.