Repairing a Damaged Tooth with a Crown

When one or more of your teeth has suffered serious damage, a dental crown can be an important tool for saving the tooth so that it can avoid the need to be extracted.

A Dental Crown Can Be Effectively Matched to the Rest of Your Teeth

When a patient realizes that they will need a dental crown, they may be worried that this crown will be extremely noticeable. Luckily, modern dental crowns are made from porcelain and composite resin, which can provide patients with a crown that will effectively match the rest of their teeth. This is especially important when you are needing to have the crown placed on teeth that will be visible when you are smiling or speaking.

To ensure that the crown is as discrete as possible while still providing a good fit to the tooth, it will need to be custom-made for your mouth. As a result, you may need to be sized for the crown one day and then return several days later for the crown to be placed.

A Dental Crown Should Still Be Vigorously Cleaned Along Its Base

Dental crowns will not be vulnerable to decay, but this does not mean that a patient will be able to become complacent with cleaning their tooth with a crown. It is still possible for plaque and tartar to form at the base of the crown. This could lead to severe gum disease occurring and decay forming along the base of the tooth.

When you are brushing and flossing each day, the tooth with a crown should be given some special attention to ensure that the base of it is cleaned as thoroughly as possible. Additionally, you may want to develop the habit of using mouthwash each time that you brush, as this can greatly limit the formation of plaque by neutralizing the bacteria that cause these accumulations.

You Will Adjust to Wearing the Dental Crown Fairly Quickly

A patient who needs to receive their first dental crown may be worried about the process involved in adjusting to life with their new crown. While a person may assume it will take a fairly long time to adjust to wearing it, most people will naturally adjust to the sensation of wearing the dental crown within a few days of it being placed in your mouth. For the first day or two, the tooth with the crown may be slightly sore or tender. During these days, you may want to limit yourself to only eating foods that are soft. In addition to minimizing the discomfort that you experience, this can also give you a chance to adjust to the way your bite feels with the crown.