Dental Crowns – Why They are needed?

Dental crowns are devices used in dentistry to cap teeth for protection. They are used in both restorative and cosmetic dentistry. They play different roles in oral health, ranging from strengthening teeth to protecting them from diseases. The treatment works by completely covering the affected tooth, encircling it with a layer of protection.

The use of dental crowns in dentistry is not a new concept. It explains why it is not hard to bump into dental crown clinics near you. Their use has transformed many people’s life by improving the longevity of natural teeth.

What Oral Issues Can Dental Crowns correct?

When you visit a dental crown clinic in Covington, GA, you are not automatically booked for the treatment. The dentist has to conduct an oral exam to diagnose your oral health before determining the procedure that would work best for your situation. Dental crowns in Covington, GA, will come up as solutions for your oral health under some of the following circumstances:

• Decayed teeth – a tooth that has a cavity is rotting. Unless it is treated, it could result in far many issues than is necessary. Dental crowns are used to prevent tooth decay from spreading further. They are also used to treat the decayed tooth. Usually, the decayed bit of the tooth is removed and cleaned off. Once all the infection is cleared, the enamel of the tooth is removed. A dental crown is then placed to protect the tooth. This way, there are fewer chances of future decay on that tooth.
• Missing teeth – when you lose a tooth, it is not just a cosmetic disaster. The gap created by the missing tooth can cause other oral issues, including shifting of teeth. To prevent these from happening, a dentist will use dental caps to fill the gap. Technically, dental crowns cannot be used on their own. The treatment requires using dental bridges. The bridges are then supported by dental crowns, either on one side of the adjacent tooth or both sides.
• To cover dental implants – dental implants are equally used to close gaps of missing teeth. The implants, however, cannot be left exposed. Dental crowns are used to cover the implants and give you a natural-looking smile.
• Discolored filling – dental fillings are used to fill cavities in teeth. The color of the fillings used can be conspicuous and not cosmetically appealing. In other cases, the filling might discolor with time. If you do not like the color of the filling, you do not have to bear with it for the rest of your life. Dental crowns are used to cover such cosmetic flaws.

How Are Dental Crowns Installed?

Rarely will a dental crown fall off. Depending on your reason for getting a dental crown, the installation procedure is different. The most common way to install dental crowns involves the following steps:

• Preparing the tooth: This process entails shaving off the enamel of the tooth. It is also the phase where teeth are professionally cleaned to get rid of any food debris and plaque.
• Getting tooth impression: Once your teeth are ready for treatment, the dentist takes the impressions of your teeth. Today, the most common way to do this is through digital scanning. The impressions are then taken to a laboratory to develop the perfect dental crowns.
• The installation process: Installation usually happens on a different dental visit. Before your dental crowns are ready, you will have a temporary cap on your tooth. The process will involve using a special cement to adhere to the dental cap to the tooth or implant. The adhesive forms a seal that will hold the dental crown in place. This is usually for the permanent dental crown.

What to Expect From the Treatment

The installation of dental crowns is not a painful process. It should feel similar to the process of getting a dental filling. The use of local anesthesia is only necessary when the tooth being treated has a nerve. In most cases, patients do not require sedation.

Tooth sensitivity is also not unusual after the treatment. The sensitivity may come as a result of the changes in your tooth’s enamel. Given that a dental crown is a foreign object, it may take a little getting used to the new tooth. You may want to resist the temptation of running your tongue around the crown. The last thing you want is to sabotage your treatment. Luckily, the sensitivity does not last too long. It should wear off after a few weeks.