10 common questions asked about crowns

The word crown in the treatment plan raises many questions in the patient as to:

1. What is dental crown?
2. What type of dental crowns are available?
3. What is a crown made up of?
4. Is it safe to have crowns placed?
5. What are its indications?
6. Do I need do undergo root canal treatment for placement of crown?
7. What is the procedure?
8. What is the life span of a crown?
9. How do I take care of the crowns?
10. What problems could develop with the crowns?

1) What Is A Dental Crown?

Dental crowns or cap is a tooth shaped structure placed on the problem tooth, encasing it entirely right down to the gum line.

2) What Types Of Dental Crowns Are Available?

Dental crowns can be temporary or permanent, temporary crowns are given until permanent crown is ready. Temporary dental crowns are made in dentist’s office and permanent crowns are made in the dental laboratory.

3) What Is A Crown Made Up Of?

Temporary dental crowns are made up of acrylic or stainless steel. Permanent crowns can be made from all metal, porcelain fused to metal, all resin or all ceramic crowns.

4) Is It Safe To Have Crowns Placed?

Yes, it is safe to have crowns placed as most of the materials used in crown preparation have excellent biological compatibility which means they are bio inert.

5) What Are Its Indications?

Crowns are indicated in many situations like advanced tooth destruction, tooth with large fillings that need replacement, tooth fracture, improving tooth aesthetics, endodontically treated tooth, to cover dental implants, retainer crowns for dental bridges or dentures.

6) Do I Need To Undergo Root Canal Treatment For Placement Of Crown?

Root canals are not required to place a crown but all the teeth which underwent root canal treatment must be crowned.

7) What Is The Procedure For Placing A Crown?

It usually takes a dentist 2 separate appointments to place a new dental crown.

1. The first appointment involves preparing(shaping) the tooth.
2. Taking an impression.
3. placing a temporary crown.

In the second visit the dentist will cement the permanent crown fabricated in the dental laboratory.

8) How Long Do The Crowns Last?

The average life span of a well maintained dental crown is typically 10 to 15 years. The mouth is a complex system and there are many factors that can affect the longevity of a crown including a person s oral hygiene habits along with day to day wear exposed to…

9) What Problems Could Develop With Crowns?

There may be discomfort or sensitivity with a newly crowned tooth after the procedure as the anesthesia wears off. The pain or sensitivity that occurs when you bite usually means the crown is too high which can be easily fixed in the clinic. Loose crowns, chipped crowns or the crowns may fall off some time due to improper fit or lack of sufficient tooth structure that can hold on it which can be recementad if not a new crown will need to be mad. Allergic reactions to the metals or porcelain used in the crown which is extremely rare.

10) How Do I Take Care If The Crown?

1. Practicing good dental hygiene routines, including brushing twice a day and flossing, when brushing pay special attention to the area around the crown especially gum line.
2. Avoid clenching or grinding our teeth this type of trauma can cause the crown to chip or crack.
3. Avoid biting finger nails, chewing gums, chewing hard candy or other hard objects.
4. Attend routine dental cleaning and check up appointments.