Understanding Dental Crowns and Their Purpose
At Reiser Dental, dental crown services are among our most sought-after treatments. You may need a dental crown for any number of reasons, from restoring a decayed tooth to replacing the one you’ve had knocked out on accident. In any case, Reiser Dental is a trusted dental practice for expertly-performed dental crowns and restorations.
No one enjoys dental crown problems, but our experienced team can come up with a solution to make your mouth feel like normal again. In addition to dental crowns, we also perform a wide range of dental services, from teeth cleanings to cosmetic dentistry. Whatever you need, Reiser Dental is here to provide you with the dental care you need.
Dental crowns are protection for your tooth. Essentially, it's like a cap or a helmet that covers the top part of your tooth, helping to protect it moving forward so that you can chew on this tooth and use it without worrying about any complications such as splitting.
What different materials are used for crowns?
There have been a few changes over the last few decades, but we still primarily use three main materials. A full gold crown, which is made of gold, is a great material as it closely mimics the properties of a natural tooth.
The most common is a zirconia crown, a white tooth-colored material similar to the structure of a natural tooth. We also used to use porcelain-infused metal, which might be one of the crowns in your mouth, but we're moving more towards zirconia. Additionally, we use other ceramic crowns in various aesthetic situations that look exactly like natural teeth.
Why would a dentist recommend a dental crown?
There are multiple reasons why we'd recommend a crown. Some of the most common reasons are cracked teeth, chewing sensitivity, and biting sensitivity.
- A conventional filling isn’t enough to fix your tooth
- You need to strengthen a tooth to avoid further cracking and chipping
- You’re looking to repair a broken or cracked tooth
- You have a misshapen or stained tooth and want to restore its appearance
Is it worth getting children's teeth into crowns?
Many parents ask if it's worth getting crowns for children's teeth. We evaluate each situation individually. If a child's tooth needs a crown, we can definitely do it. If it's a baby tooth that's likely to fall out, we may opt for a large filling instead. Stainless steel crowns are still widely used in children's mouths.
Can you get a cavity on a crown tooth?
We often get asked if it's possible to get a cavity on a crown tooth. The simple answer is yes. You can't get a cavity on the actual crown itself since it's made of porcelain or metal, but the margin where the crown meets your tooth can still develop a cavity. Care for it like any other tooth in your mouth by brushing, flossing, and treating it as a natural tooth.
How are dental crowns different for different types of teeth?
Depending on where your tooth is and the crown that we're going to place on it, we might pick different materials for each crown. If we're working on a front tooth, we usually use a material that's not as strong but is very aesthetic to give a nice natural look. Now, if we're working on your far back molar, we're going to use a less aesthetic, beautiful-looking crown, but it's going to be a lot stronger to help with the forces of chewing.
Can front tooth crowns look natural?
Yes, they certainly can. With advances in technology, ceramics, staining, glazing, and putting characterizations in it, we're able to make front teeth look extremely natural with crowns.
Will I need a dental crown after a root canal?
95% of the time after you have a root canal, we are going to recommend a crown for you. When we do a root canal on your tooth, we weaken that tooth quite a bit, and we place a crown on top of it to help prevent that tooth from splitting in half. In general, yes, almost every tooth that has a root canal will need a crown on it.
Can a root canal and crown be done in one visit?
For sure, it definitely can. This all depends on the patient's specific situation. Everybody's a little different, but if it's not a major infection or concern, we can have a root canal done and a crown on the same day.
What is the procedure associated with getting a tooth crown?
While placing dental crowns is a complex process, it’s a common procedure. We’ve performed hundreds of procedures just like yours, and we have the expertise necessary to provide you with an excellent result. However, it’s only natural to have questions about what crown services entail. Patients often want to understand the procedure before it begins. Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you come to Reiser Dental for your dental crown placement:
- Making a model: First, our team will smooth the tooth needing a crown and take an impression of it. This impression is sent to a dental lab, where they build your custom dental crown.
- Temporary crown placement: We don’t expect you to go about daily life without a crown! While you wait for the dental lab to finish your crown, we’ll fit you with a temporary fixture. This way, you can eat as normal before the finished crown arrives.
- Final placement: We’ll notify you once your finished crown comes in and set you up with an appointment. At this appointment, we’ll fit the crown to your mouth and make adjustments as necessary. As the final step, we cement the crown into place.
- Aftercare: Your dentist will send you home with a list of aftercare instructions. Adhering to these guidelines will help to ensure you experience no dental crown problems.
Save Time with Same-Day Crowns
Get the quality dental crown services you deserve without the waiting period! With same-day crowns, we can take an impression of your tooth and have a crown made on the spot. This advanced technology means you can be in and out of our office in no time, with a fully-restored tooth that functions just like usual. If you’re in a time crunch, be sure to ask the team at Reiser Dental about same-day crowns.
Is it painful to have a dental crown placed?
As with anything in dentistry, we have all the technology and things we need here to make sure you're perfectly comfortable by ensuring you're perfectly numb. While you're here, besides maybe a tiny little feeling of the needle, there should be no pain with any of the work we're doing.
How long does a dental crown last?
If you go by insurance, dental crowns should last five years. But with good oral hygiene and taking care of your teeth, I've seen dental crowns in people's teeth for over 70 years. There's no limit on how long a dental crown can last. With good oral hygiene, following up with your dentist, and taking care of your teeth, dental crowns can last 50 years plus.
What causes tooth pain under a crown?
Multiple things can cause tooth pain under a crown. One of the biggest things we see is although we have this crown over top of your tooth, sometimes by using that tooth, chewing on it, we can get a fracture underneath it. If there's a fracture underneath the crown, it can cause pain.
If you get a cavity up underneath that crown, that crown comes down to the natural tooth. Natural tooth is still susceptible to getting a cavity. If you get a cavity along that crown margin, it can cause a little bit of discomfort.
What can be done about cavities under a dental crown?
Cavities under a dental crown unfortunately usually require us to remove the crown, take care of the cavity, and replace it with a new crown for you. Depending on where that cavity is, sometimes we might be able to do a little patch to help hold that over. But more often than not, if you get a crown with a cavity underneath it, that crown will need to be replaced with a new one.
Does dental insurance cover crowns?
It really depends on your insurance. You should have your crowns covered by insurance, but every insurance company is different. It's hard for me to say; insurance companies kind of do what they want, but they should cover crowns. Usually, with insurance, it's usually 50%. They will cover up to 50%.
When should I schedule a dental crown procedure?
More often than not, as you're coming in for your dental checkups, we'll be able to watch and monitor to see if there's any need for a crown. One of the big reasons why you should call to talk about having a crown placed is chewing or biting sensitivity.
If you're having any sensitivity when you're just chewing random food, even if it's not that often, if you can pinpoint a specific area being a little bit uncomfortable to chewing, it's a great time to call us so we can take a look to see if it's ready for a crown.
Learn if Dental Crowns Are Right for You
At Reiser Dental, you come first. Whether you need dental care or simply have questions, call us at (720) 797-5554 or email [email protected] to schedule your visit. Our team is here to help you every step of the way.