What is a Dental Crown, and How Can I Keep It in Good Condition?


Nowadays, it is not the end of the world if you miss a dental piece. We have dental implants and dental crowns in Bridlewood to replace them. Woof!

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a small metal post that your dentist places inside your jawbone. They replace the root of a missing tooth, and on top of them, there goes a porcelain dental crown that replaces the visible part of the dental piece. Altogether looks like a natural tooth and like nothing would have happened!

However, you must wait for three months before getting the dental crown. The bone and implant must fuse; otherwise, the dental implant can loosen.

A dental implant lasts for a lifetime. It is the best investment our dentist in Bridlewood advises to make when losing a tooth.

Other options like dental bridges or dentures are cheaper but need replacement (the former, every five years; the latter, every ten years).

What is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a cap that covers a damaged tooth or goes on top of a dental implant when you suffer tooth loss. These can be porcelain, metal, or metal fused with porcelain.

Dental crowns are also part of a dental bridge. A dental bridge is a device that has two dental crowns and a pontic (a false tooth) in the middle. 

As you can tell, they are very versatile and help restore your smile!

What to Expect from the Procedure?

Acquiring dental crowns near you benefits you if you lost a tooth or have a very damaged one. In case of an infection, your dentist may perform endodontic treatment and place the crown on top instead of dental fillings (since they are more resistant). 

For them, your dentist will take a mold of your mouth for a dental technician to make the crown. Depending on the material, it can be more or less expensive. The price is around $1,000.

Once your crown is ready, your dentist will evaluate the fitting. They will ask you to bite down and speak, and if you are comfortable, they will cement it.

In the case of crowns over implants, the procedure is similar. After the osseointegration (which, as we mentioned before, takes about three months), your doctor will place an abutment over the implant. The abutment is a small piece that connects the crown to the implant. Then, they will attach it for a natural look.

While you wait for osseointegration, they may or may not place a temporary crown. They will adjust the height to prevent contacting the opposite tooth and harming the dental implant.

How to Maintain Your Dental Crown? 

A dental crown can last up to fifteen years, sometimes more. For a longer life, we recommend you to:

- Brush your teeth – twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Porcelain crowns cannot get cavities, but the underneath tooth can. Be rigorous with your dental brushing to prevent them.

- Floss – once a day in between teeth, since a toothbrush does not remove the plaque in these areas.

- Avoid hard foods – Try not to eat hard snacks because they may harm your dental crowns (and your natural teeth).

- Visit a dentist – We suggest you make appointments with a dentist near you or your work so you can make it to them. During them, they will monitor your oral health and your artificial devices. Regular checkups prevent issues with your oral health and are necessary for a healthy mouth.


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