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Dental Crowns – Do I Need Them And Why?
Most every adult person that you see on a daily basis probably has at least one dental crown. Dental crowns had their start in the early 20th century, and today they are one of the most common dental procedures performed each day.
Why would a patient need dental crowns?
Teeth are the strongest part of your body, even stronger than bone. While they are strong, they also take a lot of abuse on a daily basis, which can accumulate over your life. Teeth can develop cracks, which eventually can lead to breakage. They can also get cavities, which weaken their strong architecture. Fillings, over time, can leak and break, thereby causing more damage to the tooth. The fact is that every time a tooth gets a cavity or a filling or a crack, it is weakened. If I see that the damage is or will be extensive, I will usually bring dental crowns into the conversation.
After I tell a patient that dental crowns may be necessary, the most natural reaction is, “Can’t you just fill it?” Well, the answer is no. I could put a filling in there, but it will not last, either because it is too large or the cracks are too extensive. If placed, the filling would fall out in the next week or over the course of the next few months, leading possibly to dental surgery from a more serious problem. Now, no one likes more dental visits than necessary, and most patients want to get their tooth fixed right the first time. Dental crowns are often times the only right way to get your problem fixed.
Dental crowns usually take two visits to complete. The first visit involves prepping the tooth, taking an impression, and fitting a temporary crown that you will wear for two weeks. The impression is then sent to the dental laboratory, where the dental crowns are custom-made and fitted to your mouth. The crown is then permanently cemented during the second appointment. You will want to take it easy on your dental crowns the first day, because the cement is undergoing its final cure.
Dental crowns can last a lifetime if properly taken care of. They can be made of porcelain, gold, or a combination of the two materials. Today’s dental crowns are very strong, but I always caution patients about eating sticky or hard foods, due to the risk of pulling them off or breaking them. Most dental crowns done today are made out of very high strength, cosmetic porcelains, and they look just like natural teeth.
Not all dental crowns are the same – get it done right by me, Dr. Lampee. If you are in need of or have questions about dental crowns, please call me at (503) 646-2273.
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