You’re visiting your family for the holidays, out for a night on the town with friends, at an office party for work—no matter what type of event it is, you’re bound to hear those dreaded words.
“Let’s get a picture!”
You give your best closed-mouth smile so you don’t have to feel embarrassed about that one tooth. If this sounds like you, you don’t have to spend the rest of your life hiding your smile. A simple dental crown can give your teeth a whole new appearance.
We’ve put together this guide to show you how dental crowns work and what they can treat, so keep reading below!
How Does a Dental Crown Work?
A dental crown is a cap that sits on top of a decayed or damaged tooth to give it the natural appearance and size of a normal tooth. Your dentist will match the color and shape of your crown to the rest of your teeth so it doesn’t stand out in your smile. At the end of the procedure, you won’t be able to tell the difference between the crown and your surrounding teeth.
To keep it from popping off, your dentist will secure the crown in place with a special type of dental crown glue. This will keep the crown in place for at least 10 years, although many crowns can last up to 30 years.
Since a crown restores the natural shape and size of your tooth, it also restores your ability to chew and speak normally. Without a crown, you might have trouble forming the correct sounds when speaking or breaking down foods.
Types of Dental Crowns
Material has a big impact on things like the appearance, durability, and longevity of your crown. The right material for your crown will depend on a number of factors, including what’s best for your treatment plan and what you can afford. Here’s a quick breakdown of a few of the most common types of dental crowns.
- Metal: Strongest dental crown material, average cost, unnatural gold or platinum color
- Ceramic: Durable, good match to your normal tooth color, average cost, an alternative for people with metal allergies
- Porcelain: Stronger than a ceramic, good match to your normal tooth color, doesn’t cause any metal allergies, expensive
- Resin: Less durable than other options, natural appearance, most affordable material, may need to be replaced over time
Spend some time talking through your options with your dentist. If you’re on a tight budget, a resin crown might be the best fit for your needs. However, if you want something that will last a long time, you should spend a bit of extra money on a ceramic or porcelain crown.
Who Needs a Dental Crown Procedure?
Dentists use dental crowns to treat a variety of oral conditions. For example, you may need a dental crown if you have one of the following:
- A dental implant
- A misshapen or discolored tooth
- A broken tooth
- A tooth with a large filling
- A tooth with a root canal
- A weak or damaged tooth
- Etc.
You may also need a dental crown to hold a dental bridge in place, even if there’s nothing wrong with the tooth underneath it.
Scheduling Your Dental Crown Procedure Today
Do you think you might need a few dental crowns in your mouth? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at Michelle Wang D.D.S. We’ll take a look at your teeth and walk you through the best treatment option for you!