Dental Crown FAQs
If your teeth are severely broken, cracked, decayed or discolored, you may feel like your dream of having perfectly straight, white, healthy teeth will never be a reality. Fortunately, cosmetic dentists have ways of making even the most neglected smiles look naturally beautiful, including capping damaged teeth with dental crowns. If you're considering investing in dental crowns, you probably have questions about the process and what you can expect to gain from it. Here are answers to several of the most frequently asked questions regarding crowns:
Q: What are dental crowns?
A: Before you decide whether or not crowns are right for you, you'll need to understand exactly what they are! Crowns are essentially caps made from translucent porcelain that are custom fit to the shape of your teeth so that they can be placed over the tooth in order to strengthen the tooth's structure and repair visible damage. Having crowns placed on your teeth is also know as having your teeth “capped,” and it can help people with serious dental problems, as well as those who are simply trying to beautify their smiles.
Q: Am I a good candidate for crowns?
A: Dental crowns are versatile and can be used for a variety of applications. You may be a good candidate for the procedure if you have teeth that are weak from decay, cracked or broken, teeth that have cavities but are too unstable to support a filling, or teeth that are severely misshapen or discolored. In this way, crowns can offer an alternative to other procedures, such as laser whitening or veneers. Patients who need sturdy teeth to anchor a dental bridge or those who have recently had dental implants should also consider crowns.
Q: How are crowns created?
A: Crowns are made in a collaborative process between cosmetic dentists and dental laboratories. First, your dentist will make an impression of the tooth or teeth you're intending to cap. Then, the dental technicians at the lab will craft a porcelain crown from that mold. The process should take around two weeks, but you will be given a temporary crown to wear in the meantime. Once the crown is complete, it will be affixed to your tooth with a long-lasting dental adhesive.
Q: How long can I expect my dental crowns to last?
A: Dental crowns are a long-term solution, but they are not permanent. You can expect your crowns to last anywhere from five to fifteen years, depending on how well you care for your teeth. Additionally, habits like tooth grinding can seriously compromise the lifespan of your crowns, so be sure to ask your dentist for special mouth guards or other strategies to prevent yourself from grinding and protect your crowns.
Q: What alternatives are there to dental crowns?
A: One of the most common alternatives to a traditional crown is the onlay. Onlays are similar to crowns, but whereas the crown covers the natural tooth completely, onlays offer partial coverage. If you're unsure about whether you would be better suited for crowns or for onlays, consult your cosmetic dentist.
