FAQs about Dental Crowns
If someone recently told you a dental crown could help your smile’s appearance, health, or functionality, but you have questions about the procedure, we’re here to help! Our comprehensive dentist L4Z 2V4 has helped countless patients learn more about dental crowns near you. Dr. Levman is happy to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about dental crowns in Mississauga, ON. If you don’t see the answer to your questions below, please call our office to schedule a consultation to learn more about this smile-saving procedure.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that fit gently yet firmly over a patient’s existing tooth. When they make them out of ceramic or porcelain, they can match their color to a patient’s tooth color for a natural appearance.
What Materials Are Dental Crowns Made Of?
The answer above has already mentioned two materials – ceramic and porcelain. These are some of the most desired materials because of their natural-looking aesthetic qualities. Other materials include resin, metal, and porcelain-fused-to-metal, to name a few. Each material has advantages and disadvantages to other materials, such as cost, appearance, and durability. When you visit Dr. Levman for your dental crown consultation, we’ll provide an overview of the pros and cons of each material. We want all patients to understand their options in dental procedures by having all the information they need to make the choice that is best for them at the time of the procedure. An example includes patients with metal allergies who would benefit best from a dental crown that does not contain this compound.
What are The Different Uses of Dental Crowns?
There are many reasons that a dentist in Mississauga, ON, might recommend a dental crown. Some of the most noteworthy uses for this restorative and cosmetic procedure include:
- To protect a tooth that has become weakened or compromised by decay.
- To restore a tooth that is worn down, chipped, cracked, or broken.
- To hold a dental bridge in place or to cover a dental implant.
- To protect a tooth that has undergone a root canal procedure.
- To make corrections to the shape, size, or color of a tooth.
As you may be able to extract from the above list, some of the uses of dental crowns overlap from functionality to appearance. That range of use makes dental crowns one of the most commonly performed procedures in modern dentistry.
What are the Types of Dental Crowns?
In addition to the types of traditional dental crowns we’ve already talked about, a dentist may recommend an inlay or Onlay when less surface area of the tooth needs to be protected. A traditional crown is a cap since it caps the whole surface of a patient’s tooth versus inlays and Onlays, which are sometimes referred to as ¾ crowns since they cover less tooth surface. While ¾ crowns are a more conservative approach, they may not be as durable as a traditional crown. We’ll ensure that you have the information you need about all types of dental crowns before treatment begins.
What is the Procedure for a Dental Crown?
Before we answer this question, please remember that every patient will be different in their treatment protocol for any dental procedure. That said, traditional dental crown procedures most often require two appointments, which we’ll explain further in a moment.. All procedures begin with a dental x-ray to determine the tooth’s health. Any sign of infection will need treatment to prevent the infection from worsening. Next, our dentist near you will make an impression on the tooth before performing any tooth repair or preparation.
It ensures that the crown will fit and look like the tooth that it will be covering. You will receive a temporary crown before leaving our office after your first appointment. Once you get your permanent crown from the lab, it will be gently yet firmly cemented during your second appointment.