Placing Dental Crowns in Tewksbury & Westford MA

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What is a Dental Crown or a Cap?

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A dental crown (also referred to as a cap) is a hollow artificial tooth that is placed over an existing tooth.

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Permanent & Temporary Crowns

 

There are many reasons crowns are used, including for cosmetic purposes. They may also be used to secure and protect vulnerable or damaged natural teeth, such as those that are cracked or have large fillings. Crowns can hold dental bridges in place or to cover dental implants. Finally, crowns may be applied after another dental procedure that weakens the tooth structure, such as after a root canal treatment.

 

Crowns may be temporary or permanent. Temporary crowns are often used as a protective measure for teeth that are at risk of decaying or becoming damaged. While temporary crowns can be designed and created in a dental office, permanent crowns are created in a dental lab. In many cases, crowns restore function and beauty to the teeth.

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Types of Crowns

 

Permanent crowns can be made from a variety of materials, including:

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• Porcelain (fused to metal) crowns are often chosen because the colour of the crown can be matched to the surrounding teeth. However, the line of metal under the porcelain layer may be slightly exposed.

• Metal crowns can include materials such as gold, nickel, palladium, and chromium. Metal crowns are extremely durable and will not break, as other materials may, but their main drawback is coloring. Since their color cannot be changed to match the rest of the teeth, they’re often used on out of sight teeth, such as upper molars.

• All-porcelain and all-ceramic crowns provide excellent color matching but are not as secure as porcelain fused to metal. They’re often used for front teeth and may also be used if a patient is allergic to metal. All-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns may chip, but small imperfections can typically be smoothed out by your dentist.

• One type of ceramic crown is known as a zirconia crown, which is made from a very durable metal known as zirconium dioxide. Zirconia crowns are stronger than porcelain crowns but can have the esthetic and wear qualities of a porcelain crown.

• Resin crowns are typically less expensive but may wear over time. They may be used as a less permanent crown while other crowns or solutions are being created. For example, they may be used on children’s teeth to preserve spacing between the teeth as they erupt.

 

There may be specific reasons that your dentist recommends a certain type of material. For example, if a patient is allergic to metal, ceramic or porcelain crowns can be recommended. Cost, durability, aesthetics, and strength are all factors that are considered when choosing a material.

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Creating and Applying Dental Crowns

 

In the first appointment, your dentist will take dental x-rays and assess the health of your mouth. Then, he or she may need to use a filling material to build up the natural tooth if it is missing significant mass. Or, a tooth may need to be reshaped so that a crown can be fitted on top.

 

Once these steps are complete, an impression of the tooth or teeth will be taken and sent to the dental lab. There, the crown will be constructed based on this customized impression. If the crown is made of porcelain, a color will be selected to match the color of your natural teeth.

 

You may receive a temporary crown (made of acrylic) to protect your teeth while the permanent crown is constructed. This process can take several weeks.

 

Once the crown is ready, you will arrive for a second appointment. Before a tooth is crowned, your dentist will use a local anesthetic to desensitize the area. The tooth-shaped cap will be fitted over the tooth all the way to the gum line.

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Porcelain Crown Recovery Time

 

After a porcelain crown is placed, you should expect some soreness and sensitivity. Mild discomfort is to be expected, but you should be able to resume normal activities relatively soon after you get your dental crown placed. If local anesthetic or numbing agents were used during the procedure, your jaw and mouth area may feel numb for several hours afterwards. There could also be some inflammation and irritation for several days after you get your crown placed, particularly around the injection sites (which are normally on the jaw area immediately around the spot where your crown is located).

 

The pain and inflammation from your dental crown procedures should subside on its own after a couple days, and many patients use over the counter pain medications such as ibuprofen to manage it. Topical anesthetic gels that you apply to your gums are also available at most pharmacies.

 

Keep in mind that you should avoid consuming hot liquids or attempting to chew hard foods immediately after you get a dental crown placed, because not only do you want to protect the newly installed crown, you may be unable to feel sensations like heat or pain due to the numbing agents and painkillers, which means you could potentially injure yourself.

 

If the tooth crown still has a live nerve in it, you may experience increased hot and cold sensitivity.

Be aware that if you experience pain or high sensitivity when you’re biting down with the newly crowned tooth, the crown may be placed too high on the tooth and your dentist will need to adjust it. Of course, if you are experiencing significant pain, fever symptoms (which may indicate an infection or allergy), or other problems, you should call your dentist immediately.

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What To Expect After a Porcelain Crown Procedure

 

After you get your porcelain crowns installed and your mouth is healed, you can proceed to eat and drink as you normally do, along with brushing and flossing your crown the same way you take care of the rest of your natural teeth. You may want to switch to a toothpaste meant for sensitive teeth for at least a while after the crown procedure as well.

 

You should be aware that it may take a while to get used to the feeling of the crown in your mouth; if the feeling persists for several days or a week you may need to visit your dentist for an adjustment to ensure that the new crown fits your bite perfectly.

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Dental Crowns FAQ

 

How do I know I need a Dental Crown?

 

Dental crowns are considered an excellent course of treatment for broken or fractured teeth, decayed teeth, fractured fillings, large fillings, root filled teeth, or even just cosmetic enhancements. If you have a tooth that is physically or mentally painful (based on appearance) then you should see a dentist who specializes in crowns as soon as possible. Often, radiographs or bite-wing x-rays are used to diagnose and determine the proper fit of dental crowns.

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However, if you have gum disease or other oral health issues, you may not be a candidate until these issues are resolved. Your dentist must also determine that you have enough remaining tooth material for a crown to be successful (usually about one-third at a minimum). You should also let your dentist know if you have medical conditions, including allergies (especially metal allergies).

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How much do dental crowns cost?

 

The cost of this treatment will depend on the type of crown selected. Permanent crowns are more expensive than temporary crowns. Costs for permanent crowns range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

 

Other factors can also impact the cost, such as the amount of prep work a dentist needs to complete before securing the crown. Crowns may or may not be covered under dental plans; be sure to speak with your insurance company to learn more about your specific coverage details.

There may also be other options based on your specific situation; ask your dentist for alternative treatment options.

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How do I care for temporary crowns?

 

A temporary crown is typically made of acrylic and is held in place by temporary dental cement. It’s important not to put too much positive or negative pressure on the temporary crown to prevent it from moving or sliding off the tooth. While you have a temporary crown, avoid sticky, chewy, or hard foods and slide the floss out from between the teeth rather than lifting.

 

What is the difference between crowns and onlays?

 

Traditional crowns cover the entire tooth. Meanwhile, onlays and ¾ crowns only cover the tooth partially. These are used when the tooth structure remains solid but is partially damaged or only requires partial coverage. There are many options for crowns, and your dentist will discuss the options that make the most sense for you.

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Are Dental Crowns or Porcelain Crowns Painful?

 

Not with an experienced dentist who has successfully placed many porcelain and dental crowns!

You will be under local anesthesia and medicated while your tooth or teeth are prepped for the crown and when the crowns are applied.

Once the first appointment is over and the temporary crowns are placed, you may feel some sensitivity in your gums and around the non-permanent crown.

Upon the placement of the permanent crown you may feel some discomfort (that’s usually described as a small pinch) but the procedure will be performed under local anesthetics and topical numbing agents will be applied as well.

After the placement of the permanent crown, you may have some soreness and you will need to stick to soft foods for a while after the crowns are installed, but there should not be any significant or lingering pain.

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Porcelain Crowns Vs Veneers, which are better ?

 

Both porcelain crowns and veneers are used to improve the appearance of your teeth, especially if you have damage or discoloration on your front or more visible teeth.

However, veneers are generally used for more aesthetic improvement since they are made from super thin porcelain and only bonded to the front of the tooth – they don’t necessarily involve strengthening the tooth.

Rather, veneers just improve the appearance and shape while porcelain crowns encase the entire tooth and help to protect damaged teeth in addition to helping create a better aesthetic for your smile.

You should always talk with your dentist about your options for improving the health, strength, and appearance of your teeth.

They will be able to advise you as to the best options for improving, strengthening and otherwise making your teeth the best they can be.

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Is it better to have Porcelain Crowns On Your Front Teeth?

 

The most common spot to get porcelain crowns or related dental work is on your front teeth; after all, they are the most visible teeth and dental crowns can make the biggest and most obvious difference in your smile.

After all, damaged or otherwise imperfect teeth can be a big problem not only from a health perspective, but a self-confidence and image perspective.

Healthy looking – and feeling – teeth can make a big difference in your overall appearance and that can improve your self-image, make you look and feel younger, and generally improve your life.

Having a damaged front tooth or teeth can be difficult – not only in regard to eating and chewing and general functionality, but to your confidence in your appearance.

Porcelain crowns can make a huge difference in your oral health as well as your overall self-esteem – having that “perfect smile” will likely make you smile and laugh even more!

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Are Porcelain Crowns better On Your Molars or back teeth?

 

Porcelain crowns can also be placed on the molars or back teeth, but since these teeth are not normally visible in most cases, often metal is recommended for durability unless you are allergic to various types of metal.

Your dentist will be able to work with you to determine the best types of crowns depending on your individual problems and the location and visibility of the teeth that need to be capped or crowned.
 

Porcelain Crowns Vs Fused Metal Crowns, which are good ?

 

Porcelain fused to gold or other metals can provide a similar aesthetically pleasing natural look as porcelain crowns; gold-based crowns are layered with a porcelain coating which gives the crown a more natural appearance since the gold base under the porcelain isn’t visible.

You should know that while this type of crown is very strong and durable, it can chip and expose the metal underneath.

While there are reasons to use this type of crown, it may often be a better choice to use a more standard porcelain crown.

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Porcelain Crowns Vs Gold Crowns, which are good ?

 

Gold crowns are often recommended for your molars or the teeth in the back of your mouth, due to the stronger bite and grinding forces of those teeth.

They are also used when the decay or breakdown of the tooth or teeth being capped is so severe that porcelain or other types of dental crowns won’t work.

While gold dental crowns are extremely strong, they can be quite visible when you smile or laugh, and of course the metal doesn’t exactly match the look of your natural teeth.

Like other kinds of dental crowns, gold crowns have similar characteristics to your natural teeth, meaning they will wear down over the years and may need to be replaced.

If you have gold dental crowns (or any other type of dental crown), you should have them checked regular for signs of wear, chipping, or other issues.

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Porcelain Crowns Vs Zirconia Crowns, which are good ?

 

Zirconia or zirconium metal crowns are another common option.

Zirconia crowns are made of an opaque material which looks similar to porcelain, although it is thought that sometimes thought that they don’t look as natural as porcelain does.

Porcelain and zirconium crowns are used and applied in fundamentally the same way using similar techniques to craft and place the crowns.

Zirconia crowns became popular several decades ago and they contain approximately ninety percent zirconium oxide, which does lend them some strength and resistance to chipping, cracking, and discoloration.

They do provide a somewhat natural appearance, but lack the flexibility and customizability of porcelain crowns.

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How Long Do Porcelain Crowns Last?

 

While porcelain crowns are strong and can last a long time, they do need to be looked after and regularly examined, and possibly replaced if they become chipped or damaged.

Small chips in porcelain crowns can be repaired with composite resin without replacing the entire crowns, while larger chips or excessive chipping may require replacing the crown completely.

Keep in mind that crowns can get loose or even fall off if the crown is improper fit or if the cement is washed out from underneath it.

If you feel that your crown is loose you should see your dentist immediately – not only may it fall off, a loose crown can cause bacteria to get underneath the crown, causing increased tooth decay and other problems.

If your crown does fall off due to damage from sticky, chewy, or hard foods or other issues, you can use over-the-counter dental adhesive or tooth cement to reattach it temporarily until you get to see your dentist for a replacement.

Be sure to call your dentist immediately if you lose a crown in any circumstance.

That said, properly fitted dental crowns should feel and operate just like your natural healthy teeth, with normal biting and chewing capabilities.

If you feel like your crowns are loose or feel insecure in your mouth, then you should contact your dentist immediately so they can be assessed and repaired or replaced as necessary.

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How Do You Care For Dental Crowns?

 

While porcelain crowns and other types of dental crowns cannot get cavities, you still need to ensure your upgraded teeth are properly cared for, including regular brushing and flossing (the same way you care for your other natural teeth).

You can still get cavities and tooth decay underneath a porcelain or other type of crown if you do not practice proper dental hygiene.

Keep in mind that crowns can still stain, especially if you regularly consume things like coffee and red wine that tend to stain natural teeth as well.

Teeth whitening products do not work on caps or crowns, so if you want to whiten your natural teeth, you may need to discuss that with your dentist and possible replace or update your crown with white teeth caps.

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