Best Crown Options For Repairing Your Teeth
If you have ever suffered from a nagging toothache that just won’t go away, then you know how severe the pain can be. Whether it is a simple cavity or an agonizing dental pulp infection that requires a root canal, suffering from tooth pain is awful. While only your dentist can start the healing process and restore your dental health, many types of dental pain will require the installation of a dental crown.
Most people don’t know much about these dental “caps” until they need one, but they are an extremely common treatment.
What is a dental crown?
Dental crowns are the technical name for caps that are typically used to protect damaged teeth following a dental procedure. In fact, the most common restorative procedure used in dental care is the installation of a single crown. About 2.3 million crowns are installed every year.
What are they made of?
There are four main materials used for capping a tooth:
- Ceramic is generally used to crown front teeth because of its color. Ceramic crowns blend in naturally with your teeth, which allows you to smile without feeling self conscious.
- Gold based alloys won’t break off inside your mouth and they bind well with the tooth. However, gold crowns are not as common as they once were.
- Porcelain crowns consist of a porcelain-metal alloy, and these crowns offer superb strength and binding properties. Like ceramic crowns, porcelain crowns are neither too shiny nor obvious.
- Corrosion resistant alloys/all metal crowns have the strongest bond with the tooth and can beused with even the worst cavities.
How long do crowns last?
It depends, but if you maintain them well enough, they can often last 25 years or more. If you have specific questions, talk to your dentist about the best options for treating your tooth pain and protecting your teeth over the years. Once the crown has been installed, you can continue to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would.
If you or your kids are in need of family dental care due to a nagging toothache, make an appointment with a family dentist and you can finally start the healing process. Tooth pain is never fun, but a visit to your dentist and a new dental crown really can provide lasting relief. Soon, you won’t even realize it’s there.