What You Should Know About Getting Crowns

smiling family of four at a beachIf your dentist tells you that you need a crown, he is not making you royalty. He is offering you a way to protect a badly damaged tooth. Jewels are not included. However, you can have them made out of gold, but porcelain may look better because it can be dyed to match your existing teeth. Lee Trevino Dental is ready to crown your tooth with the material necessary to make your mouth feel like royalty.

What Are Dental Crowns?

A crown is an appliance that is cemented onto existing teeth or implants by a dentist in order to cover the pre-existing damage. Crowns are used to improve your mouth’s appearance, shape, alignment and can also help with your bite as gaps left by missing teeth can cause your remaining teeth to shift and result in a bad bite.

The Procedure for Getting a Crown

Having a crown installed usually takes two separate dentist appointments. During the first appointment, the doctor will prepare your tooth for its crown. That means that he or she will fill it so it is big and strong enough to hold the crown. If it does not need filling, he or she will file it. Either way, an impression of your mouth will be taken so that the lab can make the crown. In addition, a temporary crown will be put in place to protect your tooth until the permanent one is ready. A week or two later, you will return to have the temporary crown removed and the permanent one fastened to the tooth with a special adhesive.

How to Care for a Crown

It will take an additional week or two for you to get used to your crown. After that, it will look and feel like every other tooth in your mouth. You should brush and floss as usual, at least twice a day and use an antibacterial mouthwash. Your dentist should show you how to floss around your crown so that you do not risk dislodging it. In addition, it is recommended that you refrain from eating hard foods such as candies and ice and opening packaging with your teeth. If proper care is taken, your crown will last anywhere from five to 15 years or longer. If you have a cracked, decayed or broken tooth and think you may need a crown contact Lee Trevino Dental. They have been perfecting smiles in the El Paso area since 1977.

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