Dental Crown Procedure FAQs
Dental crowns can be an effective way to restore your smile. This treatment also has many purposes, including salvaging teeth and improving oral health. If you have never had a crown before, you may be curious about the process. To help you become familiar with what will happen, you can review some frequently asked questions. Your cosmetic dentist can also be a good source of information.
The importance of a good smile
For many people, a smile is the first thing they will notice about someone else. A person with an unattractive smile may feel embarrassed or even ashamed. Such a person may have low self-confidence or poor self-esteem. Tooth problems could cause someone to avoid social settings or to struggle in interpersonal situations.
Furthermore, issues with a smile can be beyond cosmetic. Sometimes, these matters can affect a person’s health. This can be the case if the teeth are damaged or severely decayed. Crowns can address these problems and help to prevent other serious health conditions.
What are dental crowns?
Crowns are restorative devices that closely resemble natural teeth. A crown is a cap that fits entirely over an affected tooth, covering it completely. Though crowns can come in a variety of materials, ceramic, porcelain, and composite resin are the most common. These materials are tooth-colored, allowing the crown to blend in with the natural teeth and not stand out.
How does the dentist place crowns?
To fit a crown correctly, the dentist will first take X-rays and make impressions of the teeth. The dentist will also have to reshape the tooth so the crown will fit comfortably and securely. The crown will stay in place with the help of dental cement. Using a light or laser, the dentist will harden the cement quickly.
How long does the patient have to wait for the crown?
After taking X-rays and making impressions, the dentist has the necessary information to make the crown. In some practices, the dentist will send this information to a lab, where a technician will fabricate the crown. In a few weeks, it will be ready. Other practices have the technology and equipment to do same-day crowns. Here, the dentist uses 3D images, which go to a computer. Then, a milling machine makes the crown out of a ceramic or porcelain block in the office.
How long can crowns last?
Dental crowns are durable and strong. They allow the patient to bite into most foods. However, crowns can wear out and require replacement. Patients can expect a crown to last for at least 10 years, often longer. This life span depends on how much care and maintenance the patient puts into them.
An effective process and treatment
These are just a few of the most common questions that patients have about dental crowns. You can feel prepared for your treatment as you learn more about the process. Call your dentist today if you have further questions or have any concerns. Soon, you can enjoy a brand-new, attractive smile.
Request an appointment here: https://www.burtonsvilledentalsuite.com or call Burtonsville Dental Suite at (301) 259-5016 for an appointment in our Burtonsville office.
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