Are you struggling with what to do with your chipped tooth? Dental crowns in Greenville, SC, are among the common dental treatment that can address a chipped tooth. This dental treatment can be created from various materials and offer worn-down or damaged teeth long-term strength and stability. Though they have some restrictions, crowns are widely regarded as a long-term dental remedy that can last many years.  

What You Need to Know About Dental Crowns

What Is a Dental Crown?

A tooth’s strength, durability, and functionality must be replaced when it becomes damaged or decayed and has lost its natural shape. Similar to how a king would wear a crown on his head, this crown serves as a cap that rests over the tooth.   

Regular chewing is possible thanks to the crown’s replication of the tooth’s original texture and contour. To suit the missing portion of the tooth being restored, a crown is created specifically for it. The remaining portion of the original tooth is then glued to the crown, creating a nearly permanent solution.   

Moreover, crowns are made from a variety of materials in contemporary dentistry. The price of each type varies, and some have restrictions based on the patient’s health and particular tooth. Most dental crown components include:  

• The strongest materials used to construct crowns include gold and other metals.  

• Because the shade can nearly copy the natural tint, porcelain and ceramic crowns are popular options. Hybrid or bonded Crowns are made of both porcelain and precious metal, making them look more natural and durable.  
• Crowns made of resin are composed of plastic and tiny glass beads. These crowns are typically used as temporary crowns because of their limited lifespan.  

How Long Does a Dental Crown Last?

Two different dental visits are frequently necessary for the crown process to be completed. The dentist will examine your tooth at the initial session. This will make it easier for the dentist to confirm that it can hold a dental crown. After that, it will be filed to make room for the crown. Your dentist will need to fill in the tooth if it is significantly fractured or damaged to make it large enough to accommodate the dental crown.   

The dentist will get an impression of the tooth and the teeth around after filling or filing the tooth to the correct form. The permanent crown can be created by sending the imprint to a dental lab. After which, a fresh temporary crown will be created for the prepped tooth during this initial appointment. This is only a stopgap measure until the final crown is ready.   

On the second appointment, the permanent crown will eventually be anchored in place after the temporary crown has been taken off. After the treatment, it could take time for a person to adjust.  

Oral Issues Can Affect the Lifespan of Dental Crowns

Even though crowns are not susceptible to cavities, maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial to preserving the tooth’s root and surrounding tissues. A tooth is susceptible to gum-line decay and periodontal disease even with a crown.   

Like your natural teeth, crowns are susceptible to wear and tear. It will therefore require repair or replacement more quickly the more grinding or gnawing it takes. Moreover, the lifespan of a dental crown might be shortened by the following oral habits:  

• Excessive Clenching or Teeth Grinding  
• Chewing Ice or Hard Foods  
• Gnawing on One’s Nails  
• Opening Packaging With Teeth  

How Are Dental Crowns Maintained?

• Get a Night Guard   

You can at least break the habit of clenching and grinding when you’re awake because you’re conscious of it. But it’s challenging and nearly impossible to prevent teeth grinding or clenching while asleep without a dental device.  

By examining your teeth and gums, your dentist can determine if you grind your teeth frequently. Once this dental problem is confirmed, your dentist can design a unique night guard to wear while you sleep to cushion your teeth and safeguard your crown.  

• Break Bad Habits   

Do you bite your fingernails? Do you chew on ice, pencils, or other hard things? When under pressure, do you grind your teeth? If you do even just one of these habits, you need to stop if you care for your teeth. These behaviors not only put your crowns at risk of breaking, but they also put your natural teeth at risk. Hard things may also splinter, become stuck between your gums, or even harm your gums.   

If you’ve already attempted to break these habits but were unsuccessful, try again and consult a dental professional. Your teeth and gums will appreciate it, and you may also safeguard the cost of your new crown.  

• Proper Brushing and Flossing   

Even though the tooth that supports your crown is “artificial,” it still needs regular dental care to keep it strong and healthy. Even though the crown covers the entire tooth surface, it must be properly brushed to eliminate the plaque layer and maintain its finest appearance.   

Get Your Dental Crowns in Greenville, SC!

Call us if you’re planning to get dental crowns or other dental treatments! We can’t wait to help you improve your smile.