Dental Crowns And What To Expect From Them
Posted on: 13 January 2021
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The digestive byproducts of the microbes in the mouth can cause the destruction of the teeth. The microbes use simple sugars as their primary food source. Thus, as you eat sweets or starches and the bacteria feed, they digest their food, releasing acidic waste during the process.
The acids in the waste dissolve the enamel, causing holes to form in the tooth material. These holes are called cavities.
If you develop a large cavity, your dentist may fill it. Additionally, they may cover the compromised tooth with a dental crown.
Here is a bit of information about dental crowns to help you learn more about these applications and what to expect from them.
Crowns Can Be Made of Various Materials
Some people may only be familiar with tooth-colored crowns. These crowns are made of materials whose colors are close to white and can be matched to the predominant natural hues of your other teeth. Tooth-colored crown materials include porcelain, resin, and porcelain-over-metal.
Additionally, crowns can be fashioned from metals or metal alloys. Metallic crown materials include stainless steel, gold, nickel, and chromium.
Different Types of Crowns May Be Used in Different Circumstances
Since the primary teeth are eventually shed, dentists often apply stainless steel crowns to the baby teeth of pediatric patients. The color of the crown material is less important, since the covered tooth will not remain in the mouth indefinitely. Also, the stainless steel crown can be placed during a single visit. After the dentist removes the decayed tooth material and fills the remaining hole, they can mold the stainless crown around the tooth.
Patients frequently prefer tooth-colored crowns to cover damaged teeth that are located near the front of the mouth. Since the laboratory can match the crown color to the desired shade, a tooth-colored crown is difficult to discern from natural tooth material.
Crowns Can Be Replaced
If a crown is damaged by trauma or excessive bite pressure, the dentist can apply a new crown. Thus, although the device is meant to be a permanent application, it can be removed and replaced if necessary.
Crowns Can Be Used For More Than Cavity Treatments
In addition to covering filled teeth, crowns can also be used to fortify teeth that incur damage, such as cracks and chips. Crowns may also be used to hide blemishes, such as permanent discoloration. Additionally, crowns may be used as components of dental appliances, such as fixed bridges, to help hold the devices in place.
To learn more about dental crowns, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area.