Factors To Consider Before Getting Dental Crowns

Considering dental crowns? Read on to learn more about this restoration option. Dental crowns can address a number of issues, ranging from cavity treatment to stain coverage. However, despite being a common and successful treatment, there are a few factors to consider ahead of time.

Dental crowns: What you should know beforehand

Below is a quick rundown of what to know before getting dental crowns. Reviewing this information can be helpful to those who are looking into or preparing for an upcoming dental crown procedure.

The timeline

When considering dental crowns, it is important to factor in the timeline. Unlike fillings or sealants, dental crowns do typically require two separate appointments due to the need to custom-create the fixture in a lab. The first appointment involves restoring the actual tooth, but a temporary crown is placed while the permanent one is made. A couple of weeks later, the patient returns to the dentist's office to have the permanent one placed.

This timeline can be a few weeks all around, which might not be the most suitable for those wanting a same-day repair. Of course, in some cases, same-day dental crowns are an option, but this is not available everywhere and even so, the only material option is composite resin, which is not always the answer.

After the procedure

Once the procedure has been completed, the tooth and surrounding area are likely to be tender and sensitive when brushing and eating. Additionally, later on down the line, it is highly advised to avoid foods that are tough, sticky, or chewy as these can risk dislodging the crown. If a lot of crunchy foods or meat with bones is part of one's diet, dental crowns might not be suitable.

The results

When it comes to dental crowns, the results are typically long-lasting, however, what is important to consider is the type of material that is used. Different dental crown materials have different levels of durability. Having an understanding of the different material types and the pros and cons of each can be helpful.

In most cases, it makes the most sense to choose a material that will last the longest so that repair or replacement is not necessary. However, in some situations, a composite resin dental crown is more suitable, such as for those who are capping a baby tooth. There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to material choice. For example, those who commonly grind their teeth at night may better benefit from a gold dental crown because it is the most durable.