Your teeth may suffer damage over time and many potential causes include tooth decay, trauma, or simple wear and tear. Teeth can change in size or shape. Dental crowns are “caps” that fit over your teeth and have the shape of teeth. Imagine it as a snug-fitting cap for your tooth. The crown gives the tooth back its original size, shape, strength, and look. The dental crown covers the tooth’s visible part and is bonded to your teeth.
Why are dental crowns put on your teeth?
The following circumstances may necessitate the use of a dental crown:
- Keeping pieces of a shattered tooth together or preventing a weak tooth from shattering (due to decay, for example).
- To repair a tooth that has been cracked or is badly damaged
- To cover and support a tooth with a big filling when there aren’t a lot of teeth left
- To secure a dental bridge in position
- To conceal badly discoloured or crooked teeth
- A dental implant’s cover
- To alter something purely for aesthetic purposes
On primary (baby) teeth, a crown may be used in children to:
- Save a tooth that has suffered extreme decay and can no longer support a filling.
- Children at high risk for tooth decay should protect their teeth, especially if they have trouble maintaining their daily dental hygiene.
- Reduce the frequency of general anesthesia for kids who can’t fully cooperate with the demands of regular dental care due to their age, behaviour, or medical history.
Who needs a crown?
It might be time for a crown if you have a cavity too big for a filling.
Additionally, if your tooth is one of the following:
- Severely weakened
- Cracked
- When the tooth is more delicate and needs protection after a root canal, crowns are also advised.
- If your Calgary dentist needs to place a dental bridge or an implant because you are missing a tooth, you may be a candidate for a crown.
How should I take care of my dental crown?
Most dentists in Calgary advise taking a few precautions since temporary dental crowns are just that—a temporary repair until a permanent crown is available. These consist of:
- Avoiding chewy, sticky foods like caramel and chewing gum because they can grasp the crown and pull it off.
- Using the side of your mouth with the temporary crown as little as possible. Move most of your chewing to the other side of your mouth.
- Avoiding chewing hard foods like raw vegetables because doing so could shatter or dislodge the crown.
- When cleaning between your teeth, slide the dental floss instead of lifting it out to prevent ripping off the temporary crown.\\
How durable are dental crowns?
Dental crowns typically last five to fifteen years. The amount of “wear and tear” crown experiences, how well you maintain good oral hygiene habits, and your mouth-related habits all affect how long a crown will last (you should avoid such habits as grinding or clenching your teeth, chewing ice, biting fingernails, and using your teeth to open packaging).
If you are interested in getting dental crowns at London Square Dental, call us at 403-291-4945 to book an appointment.
