Dental crowns are a common tooth replacement in the Silver Lake area of Everett, WA. However, some patients may not understand what a dental crown is meant for and how it can be cared for. Continue reading for the patient’s guide to dental crowns.

Reasons for a Dental Crown

Dental crowns can be used in several ways. Most often, crowns are used to protect a tooth after a root canal procedure and restore the function of that tooth. When a tooth has cracked, chipped, or become damaged in some way, then a dentist will place a crown over the tooth. This will protect the tooth from further damage, and allow the patient to chew on the tooth normally. When a tooth is beyond saving, a crown can be used in conjunction with a dental implant. The implant dentist will surgically implant the titanium screw into the jawline, and a functioning crown will be placed over the implants abutment.

Materials for a Dental Crown

There are a few different materials that a dentist might use to make a dental crown. Porcelain, metal alloy, gold, resin, and porcelain-metal composites are the common materials used. Which one a patient receives depends on the dentist’s preference, cost, and the location of the affected tooth. If the crown is placed toward the front of a patient’s mouth, then a porcelain or composite crown will likely be used. Metallic crowns are durable options and are best used to cover molars; they also cannot be easily seen, which makes the molars an ideal location for metallic crowns.

Caring for a Dental Crown

The care of a dental crown is no different from the rest of a patient’s teeth. Patients should practice a strong daily regimen of oral hygiene, which includes brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. Some dentists may have further instructions based on a patient’s individual lifestyle, such as grinding the teeth at night. The dentist will bring up further recommendations during the dental visit.

What Is A Dental Crown?