Dental crown installation procedure
Healthy teeth signify not only a beautiful smile but also the key to the overall health of the body because the state of the oral cavity affects digestion, the cardiovascular system and can even be an indicator of other diseases.
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to keep the natural crown part of the teeth healthy. Therefore, in case of significant damage to the upper part of the tooth, dentists recommend installing a dental crown — a non-removable prosthesis fixed on a special cement.
Indications for the installation of a dental crown are:
- tooth damage by caries on more than half of their surface
- multiple cracks and significant chipping of tooth enamel
- significant darkening of the enamel when bleaching or composite does not give the desired result
- pathological abrasion of teeth
- on installing a bridge-like prosthesis, when the missing tooth is replaced by a crown having a support on neighboring teeth
- during implantation, when a crown is installed on the implant.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a damaged tooth. The design of the crown is prepared according to the individual shape of the tooth in dental laboratories. Modern materials used for the production of crowns allow you to completely restore the aesthetics of a smile and the functionality of the dentition.
Types of dental crowns
If earlier at the phrase “tooth crown” most imagined metal false teeth, nowadays, modern dentistry offers a lot of more aesthetic and durable materials.
Modern dental crowns can be:
- Metal ceramic crowns
This is a combination of a metal base and a ceramic coating. The advantages of such metal-ceramic crowns are: relative durability (5 or more years), aesthetics, strength. The cost of such crowns is lower than that of ceramic and zirconia crowns.
Disadvantages of such crowns — the tooth does not have natural translucency due to the use of the metal base of the crown, darkening of the tooth in the area of the root neck, prosthetics require significant grinding of the tooth tissues.
- Ceramic crowns
They have the highest aesthetic characteristics, and such crowns always look almost imperceptible, they do not differ from natural teeth. These crowns are made using pressed ceramics (porcelain). The advantages of ceramic crowns include: high aesthetics (ideal for restoring the front teeth), have a service life of 5 to 15 years, are fully compatible with the human body and are anti-allergenic.
Disadvantage — higher cost than metal-ceramic crowns.
Zirconia crowns (ZrO2). Oxide-zirconium crowns are reliable, durable and widely used for prosthetics of chewing teeth. Zirconia is hypoallergenic, so it is suitable even for particularly sensitive patients with a tendency to allergic reactions. Due to the strength of the structure, crowns are made with thin sides, which allows you to minimally dissect the enamel and not depulpate the teeth. Have a service life of 5 to 15 years.
Disadvantage — higher cost than metal-ceramic crowns.
Crowns made of E-MAX or pressed ceramics. Metal-free ceramics Emax was invented about twenty years ago in Germany. It consists of a frame made of ceramic material covered with a layer of pressed ceramics. Such ceramics are considered the best material for aesthetic restorations in the smile area. It naturally looks in the oral cavity, passes light like natural enamel, and does not stain over time. In addition, crowns from such ceramics are recommended for patients with a tendency to allergies, since they are completely biocompatible with the human body. Have a service life of 5 to 15 years.
Disadvantage — higher cost than metal-ceramic crowns.
- Temporary crowns
They are often made of acrylic or other polymer, are used as a temporary solution at the time of construction of permanent crowns. Although they are not intended for long-term use, temporary crowns are an important element in the process of tooth restoration, protecting the tooth and preserving its functionality during the waiting period for a permanent crown.
The disadvantage of such crowns is an extremely limited period of use.
Our orthopedic dentist
Bohdan Blazhenets
Provides assistance related to orthopedic dental treatment: installation of dental crowns and crowns on implants, installation of veneers and pads, removable prostheses.
Procedure for dental crown installation
At the consultation with an orthopedic dentist on the basis of, clinical examination, OPG data (panoramic image) or CT (computed tomography), the doctor examines the condition of the tooth, neighboring teeth, its roots and gums.
If there are no contraindications, the process of prosthetics of the crown part of the tooth begins:
- Preparing a tooth for a crown. If necessary, the dental canals are inspected. If necessary, they are sealed. Next, grind (dissect) the tooth, removing a few millimeters of enamel.
- Scanning or making dental impressions. After preparing the tooth, the oral cavity is scanned (or the imprint is made), on the basis of which the future crown will be made.
- Making a crown. In the dental laboratory, a crown is made of metal, ceramic materials or plastic.
- Fixing a crown. After manufacturing, the crown is tried on. If there are no comments, then the crown is fixed on the tooth with a special cement.
Aftercare of dental crowns
Durability term of the crown depends on the material of the crown, the accuracy of its construction and installation, as well as on the thoroughness of oral care. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day and not forgetting about dental flossing and mouthwash.
The success of the installation of the crown depends both on the professionalism of the dentist and on the patient’s compliance with the doctor’s recommendations. So, choose experienced doctors and follow their recommendations!
Frequently asked questions on dental crowns installation procedure
How long can I wear a temporary dental crown?
A plastic tooth crown is installed for a period of 7–14 days. Longer wearing is not advisable.
Which is best: crowns or veneers?
Veneers are only about aesthetics. The tooth crown allows you to fully restore both the aesthetic component and the chewing function of the tooth.
After installing the crown, the tooth hurts, what to do?
Usually, after installing the crown, the patient may experience discomfort during the day. This is because of the manipulations that are carried out after prosthetics. If the pain does not disappear or even worsens after 2–3 days — consult a dentist.
How long lasts the procedure for making and installing a permanent dental crown?
Preparing the tooth for prosthetics, making a crown for individual patient parameters, lasts from 1 to 14 days.
How long does the tooth “live” under the crown?
It all depends on how well the tooth was prepared for prosthetics. How much according to the clinical case the crown is modeled and installed. It is also important how the patient follows the doctor’s recommendations and manages thorough oral hygiene. If the dentist’s recommendations are followed, the tooth remains “alive” under the crown for many years.
Cost of installing dental crowns
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