Crowns in the dental world might not be as glamorous as those owned by the queen but are none the less very important. Used to save teeth which have been decayed or damaged by a trauma, a crown is a cover placed over the tooth. Crowns are also used as part of the treatment you would need to undertake to create a bridge to replace missing teeth.
After treatment crowns can last for up to 15 years if you take good care of them. You will need to avoid grinding your teeth or crunching hard food stuffs like ice. However with these simple steps and by maintaining a good dental hygiene routine and attending regular check-ups with your dentist, your crown should not require any further attention.
Treatment for crowns takes place over two appointments. The first will ascertain whether a crown is a suitable solution for the issue you are facing. Your dentist will also discuss with you the varying costs of differing treatment and the different materials your crown can be made from. Crowns can be composed of ceramic, gold or metal and which you opt for is entirely a matter of personal preference. During this first appointment your hygienist will take x-rays of your mouth for the dentist to ensure the crown will sit comfortably on the tooth. Afterwards the dentist may need to prepare your tooth by either filing the tooth down or adding to the tooth to help support the crown. If necessary your dentist will administer anaesthetic to make you comfortable during this work. Then a mould will be taken of the tooth which is used by a dental technician to create the permanent crown outside the surgery. Finally a temporary crown will be placed over the tooth to protect it whilst you wait for the next appointment.
It will usually take around two weeks for your permanent crown to be prepared. Whilst you wait you will need to take care to not dislodge the temporary crown. It is best to steer clear of hard food types like raw vegetables and sticky items like chewing gum. After this time you will be able to see the dentist for your second appointment where you will have a local anaesthetic before the permanent crown is set onto your tooth. Make an appointment with your dentist today to see if your teeth could benefit from some protection.