Crowns

If you have a tooth that is cracked, worn down, or just doesn’t look right, then a dental crown might be exactly what you need.

For years Henzel Smith Family Dentistry has been placing dental crowns on patients in Canton, OH using an expert team to generate beautiful and healthy smiles.

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a cover that is securely placed over your tooth by a dentist. Different types of materials are used to create a dental crown that mimics the shape, color, and size of your other teeth. Some materials that are used include ceramics, composite resin, porcelain, and metal alloys.

Why do I need a dental crown?

When your tooth is weak or doesn’t match the rest of your teeth a dental crown can be placed to strengthen it and fix the appearance of your smile.

What does a dental crown actually do?

Cover

If there is not enough of the natural tooth left after a root canal treatment or once a large cavity has been removed, then a dental crown can be used to cover and support the tooth.

Refurbish

Discolored or misshapen teeth can be covered by a dental crown to make your smile look and function better.

Protect

A weaker tooth that may be compromised and susceptible to breakage or cavities may be covered by a dental crown to protect it from being damaged or infected.

Restore

Once a tooth has been cracked or worn down a dental crown can be placed to restore the look of your smile.

Support

Instead of getting implants or partial dentures to replace a series of missing teeth, a dental crown can be secured over a strong tooth to support a dental bridge.

Replace

After the synthetic root portion of a dental implant has been placed, a dental crown can then be fastened to replace a tooth.

How do I take care of a dental crown?

To keep your new dental crown looking and working great you should treat it just like your other teeth, but with a little extra care.

Avoid Hard Foods

Do your best to avoid chewing on hard foods like ice. And don’t use your teeth to chomp on other nonfood items like pens and pencils.

Regular Checkups

Regular checkups and cleanings are crucial to help ensure that your dental crown is functioning properly.

Oral Hygiene

Proper personal oral hygiene is a must to get rid of plaque and bacteria to keep your crown looking good and working well. Using products that have the ADA Seal of Acceptance is your best option since they meet the ADA’s standards for effectiveness and safety.

When is a Crown Needed?

A crown is needed when:

there is not enough good tooth to support the filling
the previous filled tooth has more filling then tooth
there is extensive damage from decay
discoloration
fractures or a root canal that can become brittle

These teeth are at risk for cracks and fractures and need a crown for support, structure and strength. The tooth/teeth are prepared by reducing its size around the outside to make room for the crown. If the crown is gold a minimum amount can be taken off because gold can be fairly thin. If the crown is white or porcelain more tooth needs to be taken away to make more room. Your tooth/teeth have been shaped and prepared for your new crown. Impressions of this tooth/teeth have been taken and a model of your teeth/tooth has been prepared. This stone replica of your tooth/teeth is made up to determine your natural bite. After your tooth/teeth have been prepared a “temporary” crown is made to protect this area and keep it covered for about 2 weeks while the finished crown is being fabricated by the lab. This temporary is then cemented with a soft like temporary paste so it can be easily removed afterward.

HOME CARE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT WHILE YOUR TEMPORARY CROWN IS IN PLACE. THE HEALTH OF YOUR GUM TISSUE AND THE SUCCESS OF YOUR FINAL TREATMENT RESTORATION DEPENDS ON IT.

PLEASE follow these precautions:

Be careful not to bite your lip, cheek or tongue while numb.
Avoid chewing for at least 30 minutes after placement to make sure the cement has set.
Avoid hot drinks so you don’t burn yourself and eat only soft foods while numb.
Take a mild analgesic (Tylenol, Advil, etc.) as long as there is no medical contradiction based upon your medical history.
Keep this area clean to maintain tissue compatibility (the contour of the prosthesis must allow surrounding tissue to conform to a natural, healthy position.)
If the tooth becomes sensitive try using a desensitizing toothpaste.
To reduce any swelling or discomfort in this area try rinsing with warm salt water three times a day (ltsp salt in 8 oz. warm water)
Be careful about chewing sticky foods, gums, grainy rolls and tough steak in this area.
Floss very carefully in this area. DO NOT pull your floss up. Instead pull your floss through.
Brush at least twice a day using a soft toothbrush and toothpaste with fluoride. Be sure to brush carefully around the temporary and take extra care to thoroughly clean this area.
If the temporary crown/crowns become loose or comes off in between your visits. PLEASE place the temporary back on IMMEDIATELY by running the temporary under warm water and placing back on your tooth and biting down for a few minutes.

If you can’t get the temporary crown back on call our office and we will be glad to re-cement it for you. Do not use any type of household glue to place it back on yourself. It only takes a short amount of time for teeth to move and tissue to grow over the prepped area. This could affect the final restoration significantly causing it not to fit and necessitate new impressions and a great deal of time.

If you have any questions at all about dental crowns give us a call at (330) 493-3940. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff in Canton is ready to help with any questions or appointment requests you may have.