Dental Crowns
When you have a damaged or injured tooth, your dentist in Salem, IL, may recommend a dental crown. Dental crowns are an essential tool for repairing, reinforcing, and beautifying teeth. Dental crown installation can help protect an injured tooth while giving your tooth the appearance and beauty of natural tooth enamel.
What Is A Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a cap that’s placed over a tooth. To install a dental crown, the dentist shaves down the tooth enamel to make space for the crown. Once the tooth enamel is shaved down, the dentist will make an impression of the mouth to create a crown that fits properly in the space. Once this is done, a temporary crown is placed over the tooth while the dental lab makes the permanent crown.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
There are many benefits of dental crowns, including:
- Restore a tooth that is misshapen or broken
- Protect damaged tooth enamel from deteriorating further
- Restore your smile after a tooth becomes damaged
Dental crowns are also used to protect your tooth after a root canal has been performed. This helps seal and protect the tooth enamel from further damage.
Dental Crown Materials
Dental crowns can be made from many materials including:
- Metal. Metal is the longest-lasting and most durable crown material available. Metal crowns are also very thin, which means less material is shaved down to make space for the metal crown. Metal crowns are a good option for molars because they’re less noticeable in the back of the tooth.
- Porcelain. Porcelain crowns look like natural teeth. Porcelain can be colored to match the other teeth in the mouth. To ensure your porcelain crown looks natural, your dentist will color-match your crown to your other teeth.
How Long Dental Crowns Last
Dental crowns can last 15 years or longer, depending on how well your crown is maintained.
Dental Crown Maintenance
To maintain your dental crown, you should:
- Brush your teeth regularly with non-abrasive toothpaste.
- See the dentist twice annually for dental checkups.
- Avoid chewing on anything that isn’t food (like ice, pen caps, etc).
Your dentist at Salem Family Dental Care can give you suggestions to help you maintain your dental crown.
Need Dental Crowns? Contact Us
Do you need dental crowns in Salem, IL? If so, contact the dental professionals at Salem Family Dental Care. We provide dental crown installations that last, and we can help you choose the best crown material for your needs. Call today to make your next dental appointment.
