Dental crowns are a great solution for people with damaged teeth or gaps in their smiles. This custom-made cap is fitted over a tooth and cemented into place, offering a long-term solution that can be cared for just like regular teeth. If you're unfamiliar with this dental solution, it's helpful to get some answers to the most commonly asked questions.

What Dental Patients Want to Know About Crowns

What are they made of?

An impression of the teeth is taken so that a custom cap can be made from metal, porcelain, resin, or ceramic material. Metal typically lasts the longest, but its appearance makes it best suited for back molars where it can't be seen. Porcelain, resin, and ceramic make for the most natural-looking choice, so they're often used for more visible teeth. However, they can chip and wear down a little more easily over time.

How do I care for mine?

Taking care of this fitting is no different than taking care of the rest of your teeth. You should brush twice a day and floss daily just like anyone else. Visiting a dentist twice a year is also essential to professionally clean your teeth and inspect your artificial cap for any issues.

How long will it last?

A crown can last between five and 15 years, depending on the lifestyle of the person wearing it. Habits like grinding your teeth or biting your fingernails will wear it down faster, which can lead to needing a replacement sooner. Fortunately, getting a replacement is a simple procedure, requiring only a local anesthetic to numb the tooth while the old cap is removed and a new one is cemented on. 

Why do I need a dental crown?

Your dentist may recommend this option to protect damaged teeth from decay that results from aging or injury. When a tooth is damaged too extensively for a regular filling, a crown is the recommended alternative procedure, and it often follows a root canal that saves the rest of the tooth.

They're used to replace missing teeth as well when a bridge is used to fill a gap. A dental implant is another possibility when a tooth has been lost. It involves a metal rod being implanted in the jaw. Once it has fused with the bone tissue, a crown will be affixed to the post to function just like a natural tooth.

If you're in need of a crown to repair a damaged tooth, visit William U. Britton DDS, MAGD. This dentist is a member of the American Dental Association®, Ohio Dental Association®, Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine®, and Academy of General Dentistry®. He has more than 35 years of experience in performing general, preventive, and cosmetic dentistry procedures and offers custom payment plans for individuals and families throughout the Chillicothe, OH, area. With every general appointment, customers get free teeth whitening. Visit the practice's website to learn more about the team, or call (740) 772-2225 to schedule your appointment.