What Is A Dental Crown?

Dental crowns: A man with glasses smiles with healthy looking teeth.
Caption: Crowns are designed to return normal functionality to the mouth and teeth.

If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, Dental Partners of Boston may recommend that you receive a dental crown. But what is a dental crown, exactly? And how can it help you restore your smile?

What Is A Dental Crown?

The crown is the part of your teeth that lies above the gum line. It is the teeth that you can see when you open your mouth. If you look closely at each tooth, you’ll see that it looks a little like a crown.

When dentists refer to a dental crown, however, they’re not usually referring to a natural crown. Instead, they typically mean a synthetic version — a man-made replacement that looks similar to the original.

Boston dentists apply dental crowns in two ways. Either they fix them onto the original root of the tooth or thread them onto an artificial root implant. The purpose is to replace a natural crown that is either decayed or damaged in some other way.

How Do Boston Dentists Place A Crown?

We use the following process to install crowns in patients’ mouths:

  1. X-ray. The first step is to x-ray the mouth to see the extent of damage to the tooth and whether any of the surrounding teeth require treatment. X-rays show both the crown of the tooth and the root beneath the gum line, giving the dentists a better view of the overall state of the teeth.
  2. Numb the Tooth. The next step is to numb the teeth and gums before applying the crown with an anesthetic.
  3. Shaping the Tooth. To fit the new crown, a dentist at Dental Partners of Boston must shape the existing tooth. If the root is an implant post, then the dentist skips this stage.
  4. Placing the Crown. Once the tooth is shaped, the Boston dentist applies the crown. The crown is either cemented to the tooth or attached to the implanted post.

How Long Does A Dental Crown Last?

Crowns are a semi-permanent dental treatment to return normal functionality to the mouth and teeth. Most last for upwards of fifteen years if looked after correctly.

It is not uncommon for crowns to last longer than that. Many people receive porcelain crowns that last twenty or even thirty years before requiring a replacement.

How Do You Care For A Dental Crown?

Unlike regular teeth, dental crowns do not decay. However, they still require regular maintenance, just like ordinary teeth. You should brush your dental crowns twice per day with fluoride toothpaste, paying particular attention to the area around the gum line. You should also be relatively gentle when you brush to protect the porcelain material as well as the rest of your teeth.

Schedule An Appointment Today

Overall, porcelain crowns are one of the best ways to restore function to damaged or decayed teeth. If you are in need of a dental crown then schedule a consultation today! We look forward to helping you improve your smile

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