Each year during your annual dental exam, the doctor will check your teeth for new or existing conditions. If you suffer from bad dental hygiene, you may have cavities or severe damage in your teeth. One of the ways to fix this is by using a dental crown. The crown is designed to sit over the tooth and protect it from further damage. There are also several other situations that would require a dental crown to be installed. Use this guide to learn more about dental crowns, installation process, and aftercare.

When are dental crowns used?

As an adult, there various situations in which you would have a dental crown placed on your tooth.

• Cover a dental implant

• Cover a discolored tooth

• Secure a dental bridge in place

• Cover a damaged tooth

• Cover a weak tooth

• Cover a filling over a broken tooth

Children can also get crowns. They are used when the baby tooth is severely damaged and a filling cannot be placed on it. Crowns are also used on children who should not go under general anesthesia because of age or medical history.

What do the crowns look like?

The appearance of the crown will vary based on the type of material that is used. One of the most common materials is metal, which is why you may see some people with shiny, silver teeth. It is almost always used for children as a means to protect a decaying baby tooth. When the tooth falls out, the filling will also come out with it.

Adults can also get metal but most do not because of the way it looks. Porcelain dental crowns can be used as a more natural look. They are designed to look just like your real teeth and easily blend in with them.

What is the procedure for dental crowns?

The dentist will begin by numbing your tooth and the surrounding areas on each side. Once the area is numb, the dentist uses a file to size the tooth so the crown will fit over it. For teeth that are heavily decayed, the dentist will apply filling material to the tooth to make it the right size for the crown. The crown will be secured in place with a special type of cement.

Aftercare

The first crowns that the dentist places on are temporary until the permanent crown is manufactured and installed. Avoid eating anything sticky, like taffy or gum until the temporary crown is removed. Don't eat hard food, such as raw veggies, or the crown may break. Follow all aftercare instructions your dentist puts in place.

For more information about dental crowns, contact a dentist in your area.