What is a dental crown and when is it needed?
Dental crowns are coverings that protect weak teeth, restore broken teeth, and prevent cracked teeth from breaking further, and support teeth that have large fillings. Variants of crowns are also used to hold dental bridges in place.
Examining and preparing the tooth:
At first, the initial x-rays will be taken to examine the health of the root and the surrounding bone. If there is any extensive decay or injury to the tooth or risk of infection, a root canal may be required. The dentist will numb the tooth and area around it to assure that your procedure is painless.
Next the tooth will be reshaped and prepared to make room for the new crown placement. If there isn’t enough of the tooth structure left to support the crown, a buildup material is used to create a solid foundation on which the crown would sit.
Next, we take the impression. This helps to make sure that the new crown fits well. A temporary crown will be placed with temporary cement and we will check your bite. The impression is sent to lab for fabrication of crown.
At your second appointment, your temporary crown will be removed, and the tooth will be cleaned. The new crown will be carefully placed with use of permanent cement. Once the crown is placed, the spacing and bites are adjusted so that they are accurate.
What Problems Could Develop with a Dental Crown?
Discomfort or Sensitivity: Your newly crowned tooth may be sensitive immediately after the procedure. If the tooth that has been crowned still has a nerve in it, you may experience some heat and cold sensitivity.
Chipped crown: If your natural tooth can crack, crowns can too. Crowns made of all porcelain or porcelain fused to metal can sometimes chip. If the chip is small and not compromising the tooth structure then the crown can be polished, otherwise the crown will have to be replaced.
Loose crown: Sometimes the cement washes out or de-bonds from under the crown.
Crown falls off: Reasons include decaying of the underlying tooth and loosening of the cementing material used to place the crown.
Allergic reaction: Because the metals used to make crowns are usually a mixture of metals, an allergic reaction to the metals used in crowns can occur.
Dark line on crowned tooth next to the gum line: A dark line next to the gum line of your crowned tooth is normal with PFM crowns.