Dental Crowns – West Palm Beach, FL
Repair & Rebuild Damaged Teeth
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a prosthetic restoration for a tooth, and it is commonly referred to as a “cap” because it simply fits over the top of a damaged natural tooth. We typically fit teeth with dental crowns in our West Palm Beach, FL dental office when a traditional filling is not adequate to fully repair a tooth.
There are a number of reasons why a dental crown would be recommended:
- If more than 50% of the tooth needs to be repaired due to broken enamel or tooth decay (or both).
- If a root canal has been performed on the tooth. A root canal treated tooth needs the reinforcement that a crown provides in order to protect it from fracturing, as a fracture may require the tooth to be extracted. The last thing one would want is to have root canal treatment performed and then lose the tooth due to a fracture or further decay.
- If an existing dental crown has decay underneath it. Crowns are not immune to decay, and they need to be replaced if decay is detected. It’s important to have your crowns checked during your routine dental exam just like your non-restored teeth because it’s often difficult to detect decay under a crown. And, if decay under a crown goes undetected, it may lead to a fracture of the tooth or the crown and the need for possible root canal treatment. In severe cases, where extensive decay is present underneath a crown, the tooth may need to be extracted and replaced with an alternative such as a dental implant.
- Aesthetics. Crowns can be used to improve the aesthetics of a single tooth or many teeth, and we have superb porcelain technology that allows us to fabricate crowns that appear truly like natural teeth.
What is a dental crown made of?
There are a variety of materials that can be used to fabricate dental crowns, and the exact material used is determined by the goal of your particular clinical treatment. Here are some of the most common types of crowns I use:
- All-ceramic (no metal)
- Porcelain fused to metal (either gold or zirconia substructure with porcelain layering)
- Gold
Thus, there are many factors to consider when we decide on what type of crown to fabricate, and I will discuss those options with you while we are planning your treatment.
If you would like to learn more about how dental crowns work, or if you are ready to have your damaged teeth repaired, please contact our dental office today.
Dental Crown FAQs
Have you been told that you’re in need of a dental crown in West Palm Beach? You may still have some unanswered questions, but we are here to help. Here are the answers to some of the most common queries we receive about dental crowns. If you don’t see information that you’re looking for below, don’t worry. Give us a call and our friendly team would be happy to answer your questions and schedule you for an appointment.
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
Dental crowns aren’t permanent, but they are considered a long-term solution. On average, they can protect your tooth for anywhere between 5 and 15 years. When your dentist reshapes your tooth for a crown, that procedure is irreversible. Tooth enamel cannot grow back after it’s been lost, so that tooth will always need a crown going forward. That being said, crowns protect the underlying tooth from additional damage, helping the tooth to survive for much longer than it likely would have otherwise.
Do Dental Crowns Get Cavities?
It is impossible for a crown to develop cavities, but the tooth underneath it still can. A crowned tooth has about the same risk of decay as an uncrowned tooth. Poor oral hygiene makes it possible for bacteria and plaque to form around the gumline where the tooth meets the crown. They can then travel underneath the crown and weak havoc on the underlying tooth. You can prevent cavities in crowned teeth the same way as you do for your other teeth. Brush, floss, and see your dentist for routine checkups.
Does It Hurt to Get a Dental Crown?
Just like when you get a filling, your dentist will numb the tooth they’ll be working on when you get a crown. After your tooth is prepared, it may feel sensitive for the next few days. This can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, but give your dentist a call if the discomfort worsens. Since crowns protect vulnerable teeth from damaged, they can help to prevent further sensitivity going forward.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long to Get a Dental Crown?
Dentists will only recommend a dental crown if you truly need one. You might be tempted to put off the procedure, but it is best to schedule it right away after your dentist has made the suggestion. Waiting too long to get a crown will leave your compromised tooth exposed to chewing forces, food debris, and bacteria, ultimately causing the damage to worsen. Eventually, you could end up needing a root canal or extraction.