Dental Crowns
Dentist Portland
 A dental crown is a cap or mold that resembles a tooth. When present on a tooth, it covers the surface and sides fully. Placing a crown is a standard restorative procedure, and patients come to our office to get it placed. It helps restore the strength and size of the original tooth. Your tooth may be decaying or look mismatched to the rest of the teeth for some reason. It can cause a misalignment in the mouth that many people find undesirable as it affects their smile. It can also indicate underlying tooth decay. In either case, a crown can facilitate your oral hygiene by covering the odd tooth. If you are considering getting a crown, Elliott Dentistry wants to ensure you understand all the relevant details to help you make the right choice.
Signs You Need a Dental Crown
Since a crown fits a tooth, for it to be effective, you have to treat your affected truth before it is too late. Understanding the signs can help you make a prompt choice. If you struggle with gum diseases or have prolonged deposits of tartar, an infection can develop. Some of the teeth may start rotting as it damages their protective layers. You may experience the enamel or the white outer layer of the tooth coming off in chips in such cases. There may also be a crack or a dental bridge in your mouth. Installing a crown can alleviate these problems.
What Types of Dental Crowns Are There?
A crown can consist of different materials, like porcelain, ceramic, metal, or resin. The type you get depends on your preference and our recommendations based on the color, health, and location of the tooth.
Metal crowns may have gold, silver, or platinum in them. They are resistant to various conditions and look luxurious. If you like metallic shades and the tooth is a molar that would not flash it, this crown would be a great fit.
Ceramic crowns have excellent quality and a natural appearance. Our experts may recommend a ceramic crown if your tooth is discolored and you want it to blend in with the rest of your teeth.
All-resin crowns can be an acceptable temporary choice since they are generally economical. However, they are prone to breakage and fractures, so we may not suggest them if you are looking for a long-term solution.
How Are Dental Crowns Installed?
It begins with an x-ray of your mouth, as our team examines the need for a crown. We may take a mold of your teeth to ensure that the crown we install fits you perfectly. After numbing the mouth with anesthesia, we use dental tools to file the outer layers. The extent of filing of your tooth depends on the type of crown. It is a prerequisite for shaping the tooth in a manner that fits the crown. The final step may take some days, as experts customize the crown for you. Once it is ready, we will carefully install it on the damaged tooth.
Most people observe a positive difference in their oral health after the procedure, facilitating everyday activities like chewing and grinding. A right crown can last up to several years. If you have any questions, doubts, or wish to discuss the process further, feel free to contact Elliott Dentistry at (503) 661-6111. |
