Dental crown services are a common repair for damaged teeth. Dental crowns for teeth are essentially caps that go over an affected tooth. They are cemented in place as a permanent fix for cracked, damaged, or decayed teeth. Once affixed, dental crowns are essentially indistinguishable from the surrounding teeth. The ultimate purpose of dental crown services is to restore a tooth to its natural shape and look. This service, in turn, helps people feel the utmost confidence in their smiles. Contact Dental Designs of Maryland – Hanover, MD at 443.733.6879 to learn more about dental services in Hanover, Maryland.
Common Dental Crown Services
Crowns are an essential part of dental care and can be used to restore the function and appearance of your teeth. Crowns can be made from various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, gold, and silver. A few instances that lead a dentist to recommend dental crown services include:
- A tooth has a cavity that is too large for a filling
- A tooth is weakened by a crack or excessive wear
- Following a root canal when the tooth needs protective covering
- After the placement of a dental implant
- When you want to improve the cosmetic appearance of a discolored or misshapen tooth
In each of these cases, dental crown services proceed the same way. Most of the time, getting crowns for teeth requires two quick dental visits in succession. The four steps to getting dental crown services are tooth preparation, taking an impression, temporary crown placement, and permanent crown placement.
Preparation for a Dental Crown
Tooth preparation is the act of removing any decay from the tooth. Dentists never place a crown on top of an area of decay without first clearing the site of decay. Otherwise, the affected area would fester and become worse over time. In addition to removing the decay, tooth preparation involves shaving down the tooth to make room for the crown placement. Next is taking an impression. In this step, the dentist makes a mold of the tooth to exactly match a crown to the area. After that, a temporary crown is placed while the permanent crown is created from the mold. A few weeks later, you will return to the dentist to get the permanent crown installed. If you want to learn more about dental crown services in the Hanover, Maryland, area, contact us at 443.733.6879.
How is a Dental Crown Made?
Dental crowns are made of many different materials. The material used for a dental crown depends on where it is going, what the surrounding teeth are like, and how visible it will be when you smile. The three most common options are gold alloy, porcelain, and zirconia. Gold alloy is the classic crown material. They are not pure gold but an amalgam of gold, copper, and other metals. They bond easily to teeth and do not crack. The biggest downside is that they do not blend in with teeth, as these crowns retain their golden hue. For some people, that is a plus. Others prefer a purely white smile.
Porcelain is another common material for dental crowns. This type of crown is porcelain fused to metal, which makes it an incredibly strong and durable option. The porcelain exterior makes this option preferable for matching the color of the surrounding teeth. Lastly, zirconia consists of white, powdered metal. Similar to porcelain crowns, zirconia crowns easily fit the teeth and tend to be durable even for people who suffer from bruxism.
Find Dental Crown Services at Dental Designs of Maryland – Hanover, MD
Dental crowns last anywhere from five to 20 years. A significant factor in their longevity is oral hygiene. The more consistent you are about brushing and flossing, the longer your dental crown will last. You should also avoid chewing harsh substances, like ice or hard candy, to protect your dental crowns. Contact Dental Designs of Maryland – Hanover, MD at 443.733.6879 if you need dental crown services in Hanover, MD.