What You Need To Know Before You Get Dental Crowns

What You Need To Know Before You Get Dental Crowns! 

Need a dental crown in Fort Mill? Got questions before your appointment at  ? Let’s explore the details about dental crowns, explain why they’re necessary, and discuss what you can expect from the treatment process. 

When Are Dental Crowns Necessary? 

First, why are dental crowns needed? In most cases, dental crowns are used to repair damaged teeth. Basically, they’re false teeth that are hollow, and are designed to fit over and cover up your existing tooth. By covering up your enamel, they protect it from further damage, and also restore the natural appearance and function of your tooth.

Crowns are commonly used to restore teeth that have been damaged by extensive decay, to cap teeth treated with root canal therapy, and to repair teeth that have been chipped or cracked by dental trauma. 

However, they can also sometimes be used for cosmetic purposes. If a tooth is too small or weak for a veneer, for example, a crown could be used instead. This is a bit more rare, though, since crowns are a more complex and expensive treatment compared to cosmetic procedures like veneers and dental bonding. 

What Types Of Crowns Are Available?

Crowns can be made out of a lot of different materials, but there are a few types of crowns that are more common than others. 

• Ceramic – Ceramic crowns are made out of porcelain material that looks, feels, and functions just like enamel. They provide the best cosmetic results, and are very durable and long-lasting. Depending on the type, they may be made entirely of ceramic, or have a metal core with a ceramic shell.
  
  
• Gold – Gold crowns are not as common today, but are still sometimes used for rear teeth. This is because they are really strong, durable, and pliable. They have the longest lifespan of any type of dental crown.
  
  
• Stainless steel – Stainless steel crowns are rarely used for adults. Instead, they’re recommended for restoring damaged baby teeth in kids. This is because they’re pre-fitted and affordable, yet are very strong and durable. They are ideal for protecting a damaged baby tooth temporarily until the child’s adult tooth emerges. 
  

• Resin (temporary) – Resin crowns are not used for permanent crowns, since they are not as durable as the other materials on this list. Instead, they are used as temporary crowns to protect trimmed teeth between your initial crown fitting and permanent crown placement appointments.
  

What Can I Expect From The Dental Crown Process?

After you’ve been approved for a crown, our family dentist in Fort Mill will schedule your crown fitting. At this appointment, she will clean your mouth, numb the area, and trim the tooth with a dental drill to prepare it for a crown. Then, she will take impressions of the tooth, and send these to a dental lab.

Dr. Luck will attach a resin crown to protect your tooth, then you’ll be sent home. It will take a couple of weeks for the lab to build your permanent porcelain crown. Once it’s been built and sent back to Luck Family Dental, you’ll come back for your second and final appointment.

At this appointment, Dr. Luck will remove your temporary crown, check the fit of the permanent crown, then bond it to your tooth. This only takes a few minutes, and then you’ll be sent home to enjoy your new tooth. 

Need A Dental Crown In Fort Mill? Contact Luck Family Dental Today!

As an experienced restorative dentist in Fort Mill, Dr. Leah Luck is here to help you get the care you need to restore your smile and your bite. If you need a crown, don’t wait. Contact us online or give us a call at (803) 760 7860 to schedule a consultation.