Teeth crowns, also known as caps or dental crowns, are protective coverings placed over weak or damaged teeth. Made out of a variety of materials, teeth crowns can help further breakdown of teeth and improve chewing capabilities and allow normal function of the mouth and dental system. Application or replacement of teeth crowns is usually considered a normal dental procedure and is often at least partially covered by dental insurance.
If a tooth becomes decayed or damaged due to poor nutrition, poor dental hygiene or injury, it may become a source of constant pain and problems. A crown is a simple and fairly easy solution to a problematic tooth, and can be used in response to many different dental issues. Most commonly, crowns are used to restore teeth that are worn down or cracked, to prevent weakened teeth from deteriorating, or hide discoloration or irregular teeth. They can also be used to help cement a framework of false teeth such as a dental bridge.
The materials used to build permanent teeth crowns are typically metal, porcelain, or resin. Gold, platinum, silver and copper can all be used to craft crowns. However, many find metal teeth crowns undesirable as they can be highly visible and call unwanted attention to the teeth. Some people may also experience allergies to the type of metal used, necessitating the removal of the crown.
Ceramic, porcelain and resin teeth crowns have gained considerably popularity for their natural look and ability to blend seamlessly with normal teeth. Many people feel more confidence receiving crowns that are essentially invisible and do not highlight past dental problems. On the downside, many natural-look crowns are made of less durable material than metal crowns, making it more likely that the crowns will need to be replaced after several years.
The implantation of crowns may take several dentist visits, though the process can be made reasonably painless through use of numbing agents. If a dentist determines a permanent crown is necessary, he or she may file the tooth down to fit the crown around it, and taking a mold of the area to use as a model for the permanent crown. He or she may also insert a temporary crown to protect the tooth until the permanent model is ready for implantation. On a later visit, the dentist will implant the permanent crown with the patient usually under anesthesia.
Crowns are often excellent solutions to dental problems too large for regular fillings, but problems can arise after implantation. Increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods is a common problem, although this may dull with time. Additionally, crowns can come loose, chip, or fall out. If this occurs, contact the dentist at once to schedule an appointment to repair or replace the crown.
