Dental Crowns

Durango, CO

What are dental crowns?

A dental crown is a restoration that is placed over a tooth to restore its shape, strength, size, and appearance. There are several different types of crowns available. These include porcelain-fused to metal dental crowns, ceramic dental crowns, base metal alloy dental crowns, and gold alloy dental crowns. Crowns constructed of gold alloys usually contain a combination of gold, copper, and various other metals. These crowns are generally strong and do not break, which makes them a long-lasting restoration. However, all-porcelain crowns are usually more susceptible to chipping or breaking because of their fragility.

A dental crown is a cap that surrounds the tooth. We typically use a crown to restore a damaged tooth, but they can also use it to improve the appearance of a smile. A crown can consist of three different materials, all-metal, ceramic-on-metal, and all-ceramic. The location of the crown in the teeth will determine the best material to use. For example, front teeth need to have an all-ceramic crown, if possible, since it looks the most natural. Patients may often use ceramic-on-metal crowns since they look natural but have the durability that only metal can provide.

When are Dental Crowns Recommended?

Dental crowns are used in general dentistry very frequently as they are quite versatile. They can solve a number of problems ranging from a simple chip to a severe break. When considering dental restorations, it is worth looking into dental crowns. Outside of being versatile, they are offered in different materials, which can be helpful for individuals looking for variety and options. 

• Decay

  The main reason a general dentist may recommend a dental crown is to restore a decayed tooth. Decay occurs when there is an infection in the tooth or nearby in the gums. Long-term, if the infection does not get treated, the tooth can begin to decay, which can lead to a need for a dental crown. Decayed teeth can be restored with a number of dental crowns, ranging from metal ones to ceramics. 

  Dental crowns are also recommended and often required to finish a root canal. Root canals are performed in order to remove severe amounts of decay within a tooth. To protect the tooth after a root canal, a dental crown can cover the exposed roots and protect them from further damage.  

• Chips and cracks

  An injury can result in a chipped or cracked tooth, which can require a dental crown to fix. Cracks and chips are not necessarily always detrimental, however, they can ruin one's aesthetic. Additionally, they put the soft tissues within the mouth at risk, which can result in further injury. 

  Dental crowns can completely cover chips and cracks so that the tooth is restored and renewed, thus improving aesthetics, reducing risk, and ensuring good oral health. 

• Other imperfections

  There are other imperfections that may require a dental crown to fix, such as stains or tooth breaks. In some scenarios, stained teeth cannot be whitened, whether it be due to years of build-up or a sensitivity to the products. Thankfully, a ceramic or porcelain dental crown can be used to cover the stains and renew the tooth so that it appears lighter and whiter. Additionally, a tooth break can be fixed with a dental crown as it can completely cap and cover it, thus stopping the break and preventing it from getting worse. 

• Tooth replacement

  Dental crowns are often used in conjunction with other prosthetics to replace missing teeth. Dental bridges and implants can be used to replace the structure of a tooth, and then, dental crowns can be attached to the bridge or implant to complete the replacement. Dental crowns that are used for tooth replacement are often ceramic or porcelain because they are both white in color, which ensures a natural-looking replacement. 

Benefits

There are many benefits that come with dental crowns when used as a dental restoration. Outlined below are a few of them. 

• Strong and durable

• Many different options 

• Long-lasting

• Hearty to wear and tear 

• Easily repairable

• Custom-made

• Ceramic and composite resin crowns are color-matched to the surrounding teeth, which makes them unnoticeable 

Before the Procedure

If you are getting dental crowns for cosmetic reasons, we recommend that you whiten your teeth first. At Durango Dentistry, we offer teeth whitening procedures that can improve the appearance of your smile quickly and easily. It is important to have this procedure done first because the material that crowns are made out of is both stain and bleach-resistant. That means that if it is created to match yellow teeth, it will remain yellow even if you have your teeth whitened at a later date. When you have the procedure done first, your new crown will be made to match your new brilliantly white teeth.

When preparing for the procedure, we recommend that patients take a day off of work. If possible, you may want to take a couple of days off. It is normal for teeth to be somewhat sensitive, and it is easier if you don't have to worry about meeting clients and keeping up with your busy schedule.

The Process

When getting dental crowns installed, it is advisable that you work with a cosmetic dentist who knows how to complete the procedure in a way that looks natural. At Durango Dentistry, we can do so while also working to keep our patients as comfortable as possible by using sedation dentistry. Before getting started, an impression is taken of the teeth so that the new crown can be created in a dental lab.

Before placing a dental crown around a tooth, Durango Dentistry starts by preparing the tooth. We will need to remove a portion of the enamel so that there is room for the new crown to surround the tooth without pushing other teeth out of place. Crowns can be made in office using our CEREC Primemill, which takes the custom design of your crown and grinds/mills it into your restoration. The crown is then fired in our CEREC SpeedFire Furnace that sinters a crown into the final product maintaining the strength and hardness needed for a crown. All done in office Same Day for a seamless process for our patients. The crown is then secured, bonded around your tooth.

However, in some cases a temporary crown is needed when a crown can’t be made same day in the office and must be sent to a lab to be processed. Once the preparations are complete, we clean the tooth and secure a temporary crown to it using removable glue. Patients typically wear a temporary crown for around two weeks while waiting for a permanent one to be created in the lab. During this time, it is important to be careful with what you eat and how you brush your teeth since the temporary is designed to come off. Temporary crowns are not as durable as permanent devices. Patients must take special care after being fitted with a temporary prosthesis. Patients need to brush twice a day, and flossing is still necessary. However, instead of pulling debris up with dental floss, it is recommended that people pull it out of the side to prevent the bridge or crown from dislodging.

People should also avoid chewing on the side with the temporary device. Putting too much pressure on a temporary crown or bridge can cause it to crack. That will no longer be a problem after the permanent device is placed. It is also recommended that patients avoid eating sticky foods when wearing a temporary crown or bridge. Simply eating these foods on the other side of the mouth is not enough since the sticky substance can travel to the temporary prosthesis.

When the dental restoratives are complete, patients return to our Durango dentist office, so that we can remove the temporaries and bond the permanent ones to the tooth.

After the Procedure

When getting dental Restoratives, your teeth will be somewhat sensitive after they have been prepared. This is why you need to wear a temporary crown while waiting for a permanent one to be created. We use sedation dentistry to ensure that you will not experience any discomfort during the procedure and after the fact you simply need to take some oral pain medication for a couple of days until you feel better.

The benefit of wearing a crown is that it surrounds and protects the tooth. This means that regardless of how damaged the tooth is, you can eat your favorite foods without fear of discomfort. A crown can restore the functionality of your mouth by making it easy to eat, drink and speak like normal. This is ideal for people that are suffering from severely sensitive teeth, have a cracked or chipped tooth or have undergone a root canal. To find out if the procedure is right for you, call (970) 259-1646 to schedule an appointment with us and discuss your options. At Durango Dentistry, we make it easier for patients throughout Durango to have a beautiful and functional smile.

Why do dental crowns break?

A dental crown may last a lifetime. But sometimes, even a good-quality crown can break. If your dental crown broke, it is important to find out what happened in order to avoid future problems. Read on to find out why dental crowns break.

Just like natural teeth, crowns can break. This can occur because of an injury to the face, grinding teeth, or biting down on something hard. People must protect dental crowns to avoid damaging them. Getting hit in the face is not always avoidable. However people should not use teeth as tools to avoid complications.

It is advisable not to use the teeth to uncork bottles or open snack bags. Grinding teeth, especially at night, can wear down the surface of a crown and jeopardize its stability. For people who clench and grind their teeth, a dentist may recommend wearing a mouthguard at night. This usually helps to protect a crown.

It is also vital to practice good oral hygiene to ensure a dental crown lasts longer. This involves brushing the teeth two times a day and flossing at least once a day. It is crucial to visit the dental office for cleanings at least twice a year or as recommended. With proper care, regular checkups, and good dental hygiene habits, dental crowns are highly likely to last for many years.

Dental crown repair

When a dental crown breaks, chips, or cracks, a person should call the dentist for advice. Based on the patient’s description of the incident, the dental provider will determine when the individual needs to visit the dental office. People usually do not need to see the dentist right away after a dental crown is damaged. But sometimes, it is necessary to visit the dentist much sooner. This is usually recommended when the damaged portion is jagged and causing soreness in the mouth. Sometimes, a crown can be fixed, but it may need to be replaced if it has suffered a major fracture.

Avoiding future problems

Although dental crowns are usually strong, they can sometimes break. If your dental crown broke, it is advisable to find out what caused the problem. It will help you to avoid damaging your crown again. If it broke after you bit something hard, you might already know what caused the problem. But it would help if you still talk to your dentist about what you should change. This is important because you will highly likely eat something similar in the future.

How to extend the life of your dental crown

Dental crowns are to thank for restoring teeth that are in bad shape. However, once they are placed, it is up to the patient to ensure that the crown does its job.

There are a few things that dentists recommend once a dental crown has been placed. These recommendations can be extremely helpful when trying to make the most out of the restoration. Ready to learn more? 

• Avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods

  There are certain foods that should be avoided in order to extend the lifespan of a dental crown. Candies that are sticky or extremely chewy such as taffy or gum can do severe damage to a dental crown. Additionally, eating meats that are chewy or that have bones in them can loosen the dental crowns, which could ultimately result in a broken or even lost crown. While it can be tempting to eat certain foods, it is best to avoid them to ensure that the dental crown remains intact/ 

• Avoid biting anything that is not edible

  A great way to extend the life of a dental crown is to simply avoid putting unedible items in the mouth. While it sounds easier said than done, some people have a pretty bad habit of biting on their fingernails or opening bottles with their teeth. Dentists highly recommend avoiding using the teeth for anything unedible. Dental crowns are strong and durable, but when used for anything other than chewing, they can break and cause a severe amount of pain. 

• Visit the dentist regularly

  Visiting the dentist on a regular basis ensures that any warning signs are dealt with early on. Dentists typically have a better eye for problems within the mouth. If they spot a red flag that could indicate an issue with a dental crown, they can fix it before it becomes worse. 

• Practice good oral hygiene

  One of the best ways to extend the life of a dental crown is to practice good oral hygiene on a daily basis. Oral hygiene can help avoid a lot of problems, including a damaged broken crown. Brushing after every meal or at least twice a day helps to ensure the health of the teeth, including the ones that are capped by crowns. Additionally, flossing at least once a day helps to remove any unwanted debris in between teeth. When debris is left in between teeth, especially ones with dental crowns, there is more of a chance that damage will occur. The crown may become loose or even broken.