Exercising proper dental hygiene is a lifelong commitment, and all it takes is a brief lapse in your daily brushing or cleaning for damaging plaque to build up. If you do not go to your dentist and have the cavity filled, it will progressively worsen to the point that a dental crown is necessary.
There are other situations when your dentist might recommend a crown, such as damage from playing sports, an accident, or tripping and falling.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are quite common in dentistry, and they are literally a cap that goes over the tooth. Dental fillings can solve many problems, and any the issues they cannot correct, dental crowns are often recommended.
The best way to describe a crown is that it is a cap for your tooth. The crown fits tightly on the tooth and is molded to match the natural shape of the original tooth. Crowns help you achieve many things, such as improving your tooth’s:
- Appearance.
- Natural Strength.
- Original size.
- Natural shape.
Crowns will first require an impression of the tooth taken. The impression is often sent to a dental lab that will custom create the crown, but your dentist might have the ability to make crowns in-house.
While waiting for the final crown, a temporary crown is placed on the tooth for protection. When the crown is finished, the dentist will remove the temporary crown, ensure that the crown fits properly and then cement the crown in place. The crown will cover the entire visible portion of the tooth.
When Do You Need a Dental Crown?
Cavities that expand to the point where you will need a root canal often require a crown placed to strengthen the integrity of the tooth. There are many occasions when you may need a crown, including:
- Broken tooth.
- Severe tooth damage.
- Misshapen tooth.
- Attach a bridge to the neighboring teeth.
- Tooth cracks and chips.
You might also need a crown for cosmetic reasons, like a tooth that is severely discolored, or a dental implant finished.
How Long Do Ceramic Crowns Last?
Dental crowns are unlikely to last a lifetime, but with good hygiene, they can easily last 15 to 30 years. Gold crowns can last a very long time, but they are quite expensive and not used as often.
When your dentist recommends a dental crown, a ceramic crown is becoming a popular choice to save a tooth or restore the appearance of your tooth.
Wear and tear are natural, and it causes your crown to weaken and break. If you eat a lot of nuts there is a higher risk of wear because of the biting pressures. Since everyone has a varying diet and different dental hygiene practices, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact lifespan of your ceramic crown.
If you want to get the most out of your ceramic crown, you should:
- Maintain oral hygiene with daily brushing and flossing.
- Reduce your consumption of overly hard foods.
- Wear a mouthguard if you grind or clench your teeth.