Crowns

There are times when one of your teeth—or multiple teeth, in a worst-case scenario—are damaged beyond repair in an accident or due to a crack or chip. In those cases, your tooth (or teeth) may be extracted, and you will need to choose an option for replacement.

However, what if the tooth is salvageable? What if it’s cracked, chipped, or otherwise compromised but not so badly it needs to be pulled? In this case, you may need a dental crown to cover up damage and protect the rest of the tooth. What is a dental crown? At your Spokane prosthodontist, Pacific Northwest Prosthodontics, we are experts at placing crowns. Keep reading to learn more about when you might be a candidate for a crown and what the installation process is like.

What is a Crown, and Why Might You Need One?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that a prosthodontist can place over a tooth that has been damaged or become worn down. They can be made from porcelain, metal, or resin, and the choice of which to go with may come down to where the crown is going. The closer to the front of your mouth, the more likely you are to want something natural-looking.

There are many reasons a crown might be recommended by your dentist or prosthodontist. These may include:

  • Chipped tooth
  • Cracked tooth
  • Broken tooth
  • Worn-down tooth
  • Misshapen tooth
  • Decayed tooth
  • Discolored tooth
  • Weak tooth

Many times, these conditions will not require the extraction of a tooth, but a crown can help restore your tooth to its proper shape and keep your bite from becoming misaligned.

A crown may also be needed in the following cases:

  • To hold a dental bridge in place
  • To cover a tooth following a root canal
  • To cover a dental implant

Your prosthodontist will complete a thorough examination of your mouth, which will also likely include x-rays to get a full picture of what’s going on. Once they have an idea of what you’re dealing with, they will discuss the full range of options and work with you to build a treatment plan.

The Process of Getting a Crown

The process of getting a new crown placed is fairly straightforward and is one a prosthodontist has executed many times. It generally takes two visits to get a permanent crown installed. It may take a little extra time if you need to have your gum adjusted to fit the crown in place. This is called a crown lengthening. In this procedure, an oral surgeon will reshape the gums at the base of the tooth that will be taking the crown, ensuring the crown has enough surface to attach solidly. The healing process takes anywhere from four to six weeks, then your prosthodontist can proceed with the crown restoration.

The first step is to prepare your tooth for the crown. This will involve removing enough enamel to create a good foundation for the crown. It’s possible your prosthodontist may also need to build up parts of the tooth for a solid foundation. After the tooth has been prepped, your prosthodontist will create an impression of the tooth and the surrounding area. This may involve the use of putty to make a physical impression or the use of a scanner to create a 3D image. The impression or image—whichever the prosthodontist makes—will be used to customize your permanent crown.

It can take up to three weeks for your custom dental crown to be made, so in the interim, your prosthodontist will place a temporary crown over your tooth. This temporary crown is usually made of acrylic or resin. It will fit well and will enable you to go about your day-to-day business with ease. Once your new crown has come in, you will return to your prosthodontist’s office. First, the temporary crown will be removed (along with all the residue from the cement used to hold it in place). Next, the prosthodontist will adjust the permanent crown (without any cement) to make sure it’s a perfect fit and look. When they are satisfied that the crown will seamlessly fill in its spot, it will be attached with a strong dental cement.

If your crown—or crowns—are being used to support a bridge, the appliance will be permanently installed on the same schedule as just one crown. A dental crown that is properly taken care of can last up to 30 years, maybe more.

The Pros and Cons of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns, like most dental appliances, have pros and cons you’ll want to take into consideration when deciding whether to have one installed. Dental crowns can be expensive. Depending on your insurance, you could end up paying a lot out of your pocket for them. They can also cause a problem if they are not installed properly. Bacteria could slip between cracks and cause decay to form on the tooth underneath. A dental crown may also result in tooth sensitivity, causing trouble when drinking or eating very hot or very cold foods. If a crown is worn down or cracked, a replacement crown will need to be installed, which can be a pricey venture.

The pros of getting a dental crown may far outweigh the cons, however. A properly fitted crown will protect the tooth underneath from wear and tear. The crown will act just as your natural tooth, keeping your bite in line and allowing you to eat just about anything (with some caveats—hard foods like ice, nuts, or sticky toffee might crack the crown). If the crown is visible to others, it will look just like your natural tooth. No one will know you had any work done—unless you tell them! If your tooth has been damaged, a crown can be an alternative to losing the whole tooth, a situation that may require even more extensive dental work.

Find a Spokane Prosthodontist

If you’re in the Spokane, WA, area, and you think you might be in the market for a crown, look no further than Pacific Northwest Prosthodontics. We stand ready to examine the tooth (or teeth) in question and talk with you about placing a crown. Contact us for an appointment today!