Teeth that have been weakened in some way, due to a crack, decay, or some other type of damage, often require some extra support. This is where dental crowns shine. They are commonly used by dentists in many different areas of dentistry, protecting teeth and enhancing their appearance. Millions of people throughout the U.S. have at least one dental crown - and most of the time, you cannot even tell!
What is a Dental Crown?
Sometimes referred to as caps, dental crowns are often used to restore a tooth’s integrity, allowing it to function properly and blend naturally with the other teeth. For teeth that are in jeopardy, the crown covers the tooth to maintain its structure so that you may continue to have good oral health, bite alignment, and a preserved jaw bone.
Dental crowns are also used for cosmetic purposes, such as covering a tooth with intrinsic staining, an odd shape, or even a chip. It returns the tooth back to a healthy, beautiful appearance.
To give you a little more insight, here are a few ways dental crowns are used every day in dentistry:
- Restoring a broken, chipped, or cracked tooth
- Giving strength to a weakened tooth
- Cosmetically enhancing a tooth with imperfections
- Dental bridges
- A natural appearing tooth of a dental implant
Crowns are very strong - which is why they work so well in their position. They can handle bite force and chewing without breaking. And, as long as it is taken care of, dental crowns can last for as long as 10 to 15 years - even longer with exceptional care!
Same Day Crowns
There are different types of dental crowns. Generally, they can take a couple of appointments to complete as the impressions are sent to an off-site lab for the creation of the crown. With same day crowns, there is no extra wait time. Using CAD/CAM technology, an impression is taken of the tooth and computer software creates a virtual image of the crown. This is sent to the milling machine where the dental crown is created from either ceramic or composite resin. And just like that, it is ready to go and bonded to the tooth.
Same day crowns look and feel just like your real tooth - and work as well as the crowns you’d have to wait a couple of weeks for. Whether it is for restoration or cosmetic purposes, the tooth can be protected sooner rather than later.
Caring For Your Crown
The longevity of crowns depends on how well they are cared for. As mentioned above, if you have an exceptional oral hygiene routine, your dental crown can last for a really long time. Here are a few tips to help make that happen:
- Brush your teeth at least twice per day. Ideally, you should brush after every meal.
- Floss at least once per day.
- Visit your dentist every 6 months for cleanings and oral examinations.
Not only will these steps help maintain your crown, but they can also boost your overall oral health, too.
Same Day Crowns at Meridian Dental Group
If you are interested in learning more about same day crowns, the experts at Meridian Dental Group can help. Contact us today at 212-813-0850.