Dental crowns are a popular type of dental restoration and it is used to cover and protect a tooth that is either damaged or decayed. Crowns are also used to enhance the appearance of a tooth that is misshaped, chipped or broken. Moreover the restoration is also used to improve the appearance of a tooth that is badly discoloured. If in case you are interested to get a dental crown there are few important facts that you should know first.

• A dental crown is a permanent dental restoration
• It is a kind of dental solution that easily lasts for years together
• Crowns for the tooth are made from a variety of items – like porcelain, metal and composite resin, etc.

The exact type of crown for your tooth or the material from which your crown will be made depends on the unique requirements in your case and this is usually determined by your dentist.

More about a dental crown

A crown is basically a cap for the tooth and it comes in the shape of the tooth itself. It is used to cover and protect a damaged, decayed or a diseased tooth. This range of permanent dental restorations helps restoring the strength, functionality and appearance of a tooth to a great extent.

What are the benefits?

A crown for the tooth offers several benefits which include the following –

• Increased strength for a tooth that is already damaged, diseased or decayed
• Improved functionality or restoring full functionality of a weak and diseased tooth
• Extending lifespan of a damaged or diseased tooth
• Protecting a damaged, diseased or decayed tooth from further damage and breakage
• Enhanced appearance of a decayed or diseased tooth

When is a dental crown required?

A dentist in London with years of experience in handling patients with emergency dental crowns explains a dental crown becomes practically crucial in cases when a tooth becomes badly damaged or the basic structure of a tooth becomes weak enough and a mere filling cannot fix that flaw anymore.

Few practical scenarios where a dental crown could be an ideal solution include the following –

• To safeguard and protect a tooth that has become weak
• To protect a tooth that already has decay set in
• If a tooth is cracked, a crown holds its parts together
• It can restore a tooth that is already broken
• It can infuse new life to a tooth that is already badly worn down to make it last longer
• A crown also supports a dental bridge in place
• Gum disease can weaken a tooth and in that case a dental crown reinforces that tooth
• It is usually used to cover a tooth that has undergone RTC or root canal
• Last but nevertheless the least a crown is used to replace a large filling in a tooth that is already failing

Different types of dental crowns

Dental crowns can be broadly divided in three categories – namely crowns made of

• Metal
• Porcelain and
• Composite resin

Metal crowns – This range of crowns is made from a large variety of metals including precious ones like gold and silver. Even stainless steel crowns are uniquely popular these days. Any item that is made of metal is expected to be durable and dental crowns are no exception. One problem with this range of dental restorations is the restorations remain widely visible under the gum line. In the past, metal crowns were much in demand but now with evolution of better options these are not used as frequently as before.

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Porcelain crowns – This is the most commonly used variety of crowns and is made from a ceramic material. Ceramic in this range of crowns is bonded to a metal framework. Although this variety of crowns looks more natural than metal ones these are also costlier by any standard explains a dentist in London who handles dental emergencies of broken crowns over the years. A crown made from the biocompatible metal zirconium is more expensive than any other variety of the product.

Composite resin crowns – This range of the product is made from composite resin material and is bonded to the tooth. It is the most reasonably priced variety although it is neither as strong nor as long lasting as the other two varieties.

Dental crowns – the cost factor

The cost of these dental restorations varies widely depending upon the material used. Usually metal crowns are the most expensive variety followed by porcelain and composite resin crowns respectively. As mentioned above a zirconium crown is the costliest variety of dental crowns and a piece may fetch you nothing less than £800.

Dental crown procedure

The procedure involved with dental crowns is quite simple. In the first step your dentist prepares your tooth by getting rid of the damage or the decay. In the next step an impression of the tooth is taken and sent to a dental lab. There at the lab an emergency dental crown custom fitted for your tooth is prepared based on the impression. Once the crown is ready your dentist cements it to your tooth explains a dentist in London who charges nominal repair cost for loose crowns.

Average life of dental crowns

A dental crown can easily last up to 15 years provided you take proper care of it. There is no especial aftercare required for this range of dental restorations. Maintaining sound oral hygiene and cleaning the teeth properly every day are sufficient to make your dental crown last for years together. However along with that it is also important to avoid certain bad habits to protect your crowns from damage. An original crown hardly requires a replacement once in an entire lifetime.

Dental crowns – treatment aftercare

• After having a dental crown placed on a tooth you should continue eat and brush the teeth as normal.
• Stay away from food items that are chewy, crunchy or sticky.
• While you are on a temporary crown avoid flossing.
• It is also important to avoid hard foods when you are on a temporary crown.
• Initially after having a crown placed on a tooth you should try to eat using the teeth on the other side of the crown. This allows the crown to settle down easily.

In case your tooth crown broken or it causes pain and discomfort try painkillers that are available over the counter at drugstores.  You can connect with Emergency Dentist London Pro for the beast treatment.