What are Dental Crowns and Caps Used for and What Complications May Arise
Jun 01 , 2021
Tooth crowns are mostly used after dental canal procedures. They can cover the whole part of the tooth above the gum line or used partially to preserve the rest of the tooth. Crowns will give you that natural feeling and look after a procedure. They can be permanent or temporary. Our experts at Monarch Dentistry will first examine your teeth texture and coloration before deciding the best suitable crown for you.
When Dental Crowns Are Needed
They are used to repair a broken or worn-out tooth back to its original shape. Dental Crowns will strengthen your weak teeth and bind together cracked parts of your tooth.
Crowns are needed when you have discoloration to improve the appearance of your tooth.Tooth caps can also be used on your child’s teeth when they can’t keep up with their oral hygiene and are at a higher risk of tooth decay.
Types of Dental Crowns Available
Dental crowns are made from a range of materials. They include:
The metals used are usually alloyed or have a considerable amount of platinum or gold. They can last for a long period due to their ability to endure high forces of biting.
They are cheap and wear down very easily and are easily fractured.
They are usually used as temporary options. Stainless steel crowns can be made by your dentist at the office. Crowns from this material are used when protecting the tooth or filling, while a more permanent cap is being made for fixation. In children, they are used to protect further decay and come out naturally when the primary tooth is coming out. They are cheap and do not require regular visits to the dentist.
These can be adjusted to suit your teeth coloration compared to the metal crowns. They also come with a few shortcomings, for instance, the porcelain part may break off, and they are easily worn out. The metal underlying the crown may start showing if the gum line recedes, exposing the metal as a dark line.
They can also be used on both front or back teeth or where the metal is needed to strengthen the tooth.
These are used if you have a metal allergy. They usually blend in with the rest of your teeth when matching coloration is used. Ceramic or porcelain crowns can be used to fix the front tooth crown.
Difficulties That Occur After a Fixing
Chipped crown
Crowns that consist of porcelain are likely to chip. A small chip will need a composite resin to replace the chipped place, and if the chipping is significantly large, then there will be a need to replace the crown with a new one.
Loose Crown
When the cement holding the crown to the tooth washes off, it becomes loose. You may also experience tooth decay in case bacteria is able to infiltrate through the loosened gap and eat away the remaining parts of the tooth.
Discomfort
After the procedure, the anesthesia wears off, and the tooth becomes sensitive. This will happen if the crowned tooth still has a nerve in it. Our dentist in South Ontario recommends the use of toothpaste specifically designed for sensitivity.
If the crown is too high, you will experience discomfort when you bite down. Visit your dentist to fix the problem for you.
Falling off
There are several reasons that will cause the crown to fall off. The crowned tooth may start decaying from the inside or loosening of the cement. If it’s just the cement, you can procure a temporary tooth cement on the stores and use it before visiting your dentist. Clean the front of your tooth before replacing it.
The appearance of Dark Lines
They are normal, especially if you have porcelain fused with a metal crown. The dark line is not something to worry about since it’s the metal underlying the porcelain is showing. However, it is cosmetically unacceptable for some people. In case you do not approve of it, you can visit our dentists to replace it with all-porcelain crowns.
How to Care for a Temporary Crown
- Stay away from sticky foods that can pull off the crown.
- Avoid hard foods that could break off the crowns—for instance, raw vegetables.
- Less use of the side with the fixed crown while eating to avoid any discomfort or damage.
- When flossing, avoid lifting the string as this could pull off the crown from the tooth.
