How Crowns Save Teeth and Other Cool Things About Crowns
They’re a routine dental procedure today, but the what and why behind dental crowns is very interesting.
Aside from fillings, dental crowns are one of the most popular forms of restorative dental care. They’ve been used for decades to save weak or broken teeth and are often combined with other procedures, like root canal therapy and dental implants.
Getting a dental crown is nothing out of the ordinary by today’s standards, but there are actually a number of fun facts out there about crowns. If a dental crown is in your future and you’re interested in learning more about them, here are 5 awesome facts you should know.
Fact #1: Thanks to advances in dental technology, modern dental crowns are more beautiful and realistic than ever before.
Did you know dental crowns have been around since ancient times?
Researchers have found skeletons of wealthy individuals with gold caps over their teeth dating back to 700 B.C. in Italy. Throughout early history, people experimented with creating dental crowns, though it wouldn’t be until the 1900s that porcelain and molding methods were created by Dr. Charles Land. Since then, dental technology has advanced at a fast rate, and today’s dental crowns are far more beautiful and functional compared to even the 1970s.
Dentists and ceramists who create porcelain crowns pay extremely close attention to not only the durability of the crowns they’re producing but also how they look. Modern porcelain dental crowns are color-matched to your teeth and are specifically designed to seamlessly fit in with your smile. The result is a very natural appearance that looks as if you didn’t have any type of dental work done.
Fact #2: Dental crowns can be made of a number of different materials based on your personal preferences and your dentist’s recommendations.
When you and your dentist discover you need a dental crown, ask them what crown materials they offer. Not only does this give you the confidence of knowing the crown you get will look how you want, but it also gives you a chance to learn more about the materials offered by your dentist.
Dr. Sexton focuses mostly on porcelain-milled crowns for his patients. This option looks the most realistic (tooth-colored) and is one of the most durable options when it comes to longevity. In addition to regular porcelain crowns, PFM, or porcelain-fused-to-metal, crowns is another option.
If you’re curious about other materials, such as the differences between zirconia crowns and porcelain, Dr. Sexton is more than happy to chat with you about it and help you make a decision on which material you’ll be most happy with.
Fact #3: Porcelain crowns are versatile and can be used to address cosmetic problems or other dental issues, such as chronic tooth sensitivity.
Dental crowns are normally categorized as a form of restorative dentistry, meaning its primary purpose is to bring proper function back to a weak or damaged tooth; however, dental crowns may be more accurately described as a cross between restorative and cosmetic dental care. For example, if your tooth has been cracked and a crown is placed to save it, you’re not only regaining proper tooth function but your smile will also benefit aesthetically.
In other cases, crowns can be purely cosmetic and used as part of a complete dental makeover to revamp your smile. Porcelain crowns over your front teeth could be used to hide a gap you don’t like, or a single crown can be used to cover a permanently discolored tooth.
Your dentist can also use porcelain crowns as part of a treatment plan for chronic tooth sensitivity. By covering the tooth, the crown is protected from hot or cold temperatures permanently.
Fact #4: With the help of a skilled dentist, you can expect your dental crowns to last for well over a decade with proper care.
A well-designed porcelain crown placed by a skilled dentist like Dr. Sexton can last 10 to 15 years or even longer.
Statistics show that over 90% of dental crowns will make it to the 10-year mark, with a surprisingly large portion lasting upwards of 25 years without fail. All-metal gold crowns tend to last the longest, but porcelain and PFM crowns are right there at a nearly indistinguishable level of durability.
The key to making your porcelain crown last as long as possible is to practice twice-daily brushing, daily flossing, and maintaining your preventive biannual dental appointments with cleanings. Remember, even with a dental crown, you can still develop decay or plaque around your tooth. Avoiding very sticky, hard, or crunchy foods is also advisable.
Fact #5: Taking a proactive approach to getting your problem tooth treated and crowned can save you a lot of time and money and, most importantly, prevent a potential toothache.
Getting a porcelain crown is a simple process, but it does take a few weeks of waiting, and you’ll need to wear a temporary crown while your permanent one is being milled. Factors like wait time can make it tempting to put your crown on hold, especially if your problem tooth isn’t actively hurting.
However, waiting too long to get your crown can end up causing more problems in the end. If you have a damaged tooth that needs a crown, scheduling your crown appointment immediately is the best way to save money, time, and frustration in the long run.
In the event you hold off on treatment, you could end up with a nasty toothache or additional damage to your tooth that results in needing an extraction. From there, you’ll be faced with a longer and more expensive restoration, such as a dental implant.
Take the first step toward a healthier smile by scheduling your dental crown consultation with Dr. Bruce Sexton today.
Are you ready to move forward with getting a dental crown? You can book your consultation with Dr. Sexton by either calling our office directly or filling out our online appointment request form.
If you’re new to our practice, your consultation will consist of meeting Dr. Sexton and having your problem tooth examined. From there, Dr. Sexton will be able to help you get on the right treatment track to treat your tooth and have a beautiful new crown placed.
