If your dentist near you has recommended that you get a dental crown, you may feel a bit overwhelmed. You may have a bunch of questions bouncing around in your head. What exactly is a dental crown? When are they needed? Are there many kinds? Which kind is best for you?
It is important to fully understand your options, and at Wetaskiwin Family Dental, we value the power of patient education. Read on to learn all you need to know about dental crowns so you can make an informed decision about your oral health.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is essentially a tooth-shaped shell that fits tightly over a natural tooth, similar to how a hat fits over your head. When you get a dental crown in Wetaskiwin, your dentist will custom-design it to fit the exact shape, size, and color of your natural teeth, ensuring that it blends in seamlessly with your smile and is not obvious in your mouth.
When Are Dental Crowns Necessary?
In most cases, a dentist in Wetaskiwin will only recommend a dental crown if the alternative option is tooth extraction. A dental crown is generally placed to protect a broken, fractured, or darkened tooth. Not only do dental crowns work to enhance the appearance of the tooth and, therefore, your smile, they also work to enhance your oral health and prevent further damage or infection from occurring.
What Types of Dental Crowns Are Available?
There are many options for dental crowns, but the main types include metal, porcelain, and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Metal crowns do not provide a natural look but are very durable and are best used for molars. Both porcelain and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can provide you with a natural-looking smile, but sometimes, the metal in the porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can show through. Additionally, porcelain crowns on their own are not as strong as those reinforced with metal and are more prone to chipping and cracking.
How Are Dental Crowns Placed?
If you choose to visit our team for a dental crown near you, the procedure will take two appointments to complete. At the first appointment, our dentist will need to file down the affected tooth to make enough space to accommodate the crown. Next, they will take impressions of your teeth which they will deliver to a dental lab where your custom-made dental crown will be manufactured. It can take up to two weeks for your permanent, custom crown to be ready, so our dentist will fit you with a temporary crown to protect your tooth in the meantime.
When your custom crown is ready, you will be invited back to our dental clinic, where our dentist will permanently bond the crown to your tooth. They will make any necessary adjustments to ensure that it fits comfortably within your bite and looks natural in your smile.
Interested in Dental Crowns?
Now that you know more about dental crowns and how they can help you, you may be ready to take the next steps to get this dental restoration done. At Wetaskiwin Family Dental, we are happy to provide you with high-quality dental crowns to enhance your oral health and appearance. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our dedicated team of dental professionals and book your appointment today!