06 Aug
What to Know About Getting a Dental Crown
Depending on the type of damage to your tooth, your dentist may suggest a dental crown for treatment. Dental crowns restore and protect your beautiful smile with a simple procedure. At Lifetime Family Dental, we are happy to answer any questions you may have about getting a crown. Here’s more about what you can expect if you need a dental crown.
The Dental Crown Procedure
What Is a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are a type of cap that covers your tooth and restores its original shape and size. A crown will also protect your tooth from further damage. Placing a crown can resolve many problems—for instance, dental crowns can:
- Cover misshapen or significantly discolored teeth
- Protect weak and broken teeth
- Restore damaged teeth
- Support a dental bridge
- Cover a dental implant
- Protect a tooth with a large filling
- Cover a tooth after a root canal
Does Getting a Crown on a Tooth Hurt?
Getting a dental crown typically does not cause any pain. We will numb the area around the tooth so that you do not feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. You might experience a brief pinch from the anesthetic and some slight discomfort for a day or two after the procedure. If you feel pain for more than two days after getting a crown, contact us right away.
What Are Dental Crowns Made of?
Dental crowns can be made from a variety of materials including porcelain, metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, resin, and ceramic. Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC) crowns are a popular type of ceramic dental crown because they only require one visit to the dentist.
How Long Does Getting a Crown Usually Take?
Getting a traditional crown requires two visits. At the first visit, we will take x-rays, make a mold of your tooth, file your tooth to fit the crown, and place a temporary crown. At the second appointment a few weeks later, we will remove the temporary crown and replace it with a permanent crown. However, you can get a CEREC crown in only one appointment because they take less time to make.
Types of Dental Crowns
Temporary Crown
You only receive a temporary crown if you have to wait for a permanent one to be made. Temporary crowns are easily removable so you must avoid crunchy and sticky foods while you have one.
One-Day Crown
CEREC crowns are a same-day procedure. A computer designs a crown based on images of your tooth and makes the crown, then your dentist attaches the crown at the same appointment.
3/4 Crowns or Onlays
Instead of covering the whole tooth, a 3/4 crown—or an onlay—covers only a portion of it. If the damage to your tooth is minimal, you may be able to get a 3/4 crown.
How to Care for Dental Crowns
To care for your teeth after getting a dental crown, you should:
- Brush twice a day and floss daily
- Avoid hard foods that could crack your crown
- Wear a mouthguard at night if you grind your teeth
- Schedule twice-yearly dental visits
Can You Get a Cavity Under a Crown?
While the crown itself cannot develop cavities, the tooth underneath is still vulnerable to tooth decay. Plaque can get under your crown at the gumline and build up underneath, so it’s crucial to maintain a regular oral hygiene routine and visit your dentist twice a year.
Can You Get Invisalign If You Have a Dental Crown?
Clear aligners like Invisalign fit perfectly over your teeth and do not bond to them so having a crown is not a problem. Just make sure to regularly clean your clear aligners as instructed to avoid bacteria buildup.
Dental Crowns in Gilbert
Getting a dental crown is a simple, painless procedure. At Lifetime Family Dental in Gilbert, Arizona we provide CEREC crowns so that you can receive gentle treatment in just one appointment. For more information about dental crowns, give us a call at 480-558-4331 today!
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (8/6/2021). Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels