How Do Dental Crowns Work?

How Do Dental Crowns Work? Everything You Want To Know 

Dental crowns are one of the most common dental treatments in the United States. But if you’ve recently been recommended crown treatment in Clarksville, you may have some questions about the process. 

How does a dental crown work? Are there different types? Why would you need one? In this blog from Ironwood Dental, we’ll answer all of these questions and more. 

What Are Dental Crowns And How Do They Work?

Dental crowns are false teeth that are hollow, and are designed to fit over your remaining tooth structure. They cover up all of the tooth material, completely restoring the shape, size, and appearance of the treated tooth.

Basically, they completely replace your natural tooth structure, covering it all the way to the gumline. This doesn’t just restore the function and appearance of the tooth, but it also helps protect it from further decay and damage. This is why crowns are usually used to treat and cover up damage or broken teeth. 

What Are The Different Types Of Dental Crowns?

There are a lot of different types of dental crowns available at the dentist. A few of the most common types of crowns include:

• Ceramic crowns – These are our preferred treatment method at Ironwood Dental. Ceramic crowns are built from natural, tooth-like porcelain. They are very strong, stain-resistant, and look similar to real enamel, providing a seamless and beautiful restoration.
  
  
• Gold crowns – Gold is very strong, pliable, and durable. In the past, gold crowns were the most common type of crown. Today, though, they are mostly used for rear teeth. Ceramic materials are usually recommended for front teeth due to the unnatural appearance of a “gold tooth” from a gold crown.
  
  
• Stainless steel crowns – These are primarily used for children. Stainless steel crowns are durable and strong, and can be used to cover up damaged baby teeth and protect them until they fall out naturally.
  
  
• Resin crowns – Resin crowns are only used as temporary crowns to cover up trimmed teeth. You will usually wear a resin crown between your first and second appointment at Ironwood Dental. Resin is much less durable than metal or porcelain, so it is not used for permanent crowns.
  

Why Would You Need A Dental Crown?

Dental crowns are used to treat teeth with large cavities, and are also used to treat infected teeth along with root canal therapy. A dental crown may also be used to restore a tooth after it has been cracked or broken by oral trauma.

Crowns are also sometimes recommended for cosmetic purposes if treatments like dental bonding or a veneer are not suitable for restoring a specific tooth, though this is a bit more rare. 

What Is The Crown Treatment Procedure Like?

After your initial consultation, it will take 2 appointments over a period of a few weeks to get your crown at Ironwood Dental. At your first appointment, Dr. Spurgeon will clean your mouth, numb the treatment area, and trim the tooth.

Once your tooth has been trimmed, he will take impressions of the tooth, then attach a temporary resin crown to your tooth to protect it. You’ll be sent home, and Dr. Spurgeon will work with a dental lab to build your permanent crown.

After a few weeks, your permanent crown will arrive at Ironwood Dental. You’ll come back, and Dr. Spurgeon will remove your temporary and clean the tooth. Then, he will attach the permanent crown using dental cement. This completes your procedure.

Contact Ironwood Dental For A Consultation In Clarksville Today! 

If you need a dental crown in Clarksville, Dr. Spurgeon is here to help. The sooner you repair your tooth, the sooner you can get relief from your pain, and the more likely it is that you can avoid further oral health complications. We’re always accepting new patients at Ironwood Dental, so contact us online or call today at (615) 270-3907 to schedule your appointment today.