Your Dental Highness: 3 Things You Ought to Know About Crowns
Dental crowns are often the best way to save a tooth that has been severely damaged by injury or decay. In fact, up to 15 million people in the U.S. have a crown or bridge. Crowns can be made of different materials including stainless steel, resin, and porcelain. Porcelain is one of the most common materials because it resembles the color of your natural teeth, helping your crown blend in with the rest of your smile.
However, while dental crowns and caps definitely do their part in protecting your teeth when they’re damaged, there are some misconceptions about what crown fillings can actually do. That said, to help clear the air, here are three things every dental patient ought to know about crowns.
Dental Crowns Don’t Stop Decay
One of the most important things to know about dental caps is that they don’t stop the tooth they’re protecting from decaying. Tooth decay can still impact the tooth over time. This is one of the reasons why your dentist may recommend that you undergo a root canal prior to getting a cap so you don’t feel any pain related to any decay.
But how does a tooth protected by a cap continue to decay anyway? The same way your other teeth do: plaque. Plaque that’s trapped around your gum line or in the cracks of your teeth can feed the bacteria in your mouth. When your mouth’s bacteria eat the plaque, they release acids that wear away at your teeth over time and produce cavities. This is why it’s so important that your dentist remove all the plaque from your tooth before the tooth is capped. It’s also why it’s recommended to have your tooth crowned as soon as possible after a root canal.
Crowns Won’t Put You at Greater Risk of Losing Your Tooth
Depending on how advanced your tooth decay is, sometimes your tooth can fall out even after you’ve had a root canal and a cap. It’s important to note, though, that root canals and caps don’t cause your tooth to fall out. Root canals remove decay from inside the root of the tooth. The procedure is meant to repair and save the tooth rather than removing it.
The reason why it’s better to save a tooth than have it removed is that, once a tooth is removed, you can begin to experience jaw bone loss in that area of your mouth. Your jaw bone is stimulated by your teeth when you chew. When you lose a tooth, the jaw bone is no longer being stimulated in that area. Missing teeth can also cause your other teeth to shift in your mouth, which can lead to a crooked bite. Root canals and caps help you keep your teeth for as long as possible to prevent bone loss and shifting teeth.
Crowns Are Not Painful to Place
Some dental patients may be wary to receive a crown because they’re worried they might be painful. While you may experience some discomfort and sensitivity for a few days after receiving your crown, this is only if you haven’t received a root canal prior to receiving your cap. This sensitivity is temporary and is because the nerve of your tooth is still present. A root canal procedure, on the other hand, kills the nerve in the tooth.
Placing a crown isn’t a painful procedure. The tooth and surrounding gums are completely numb with novocaine, even for patients who have received a root canal. The outer layer of the tooth is carefully filed down and removed. After this is done, your dentist will take an impression of your tooth and the other teeth surrounding it. The crown is then made and sealed to your tooth.
Make an Appointment for Your Crown
Do you need dental crowns in Dulles VA or the surrounding areas? We’ve got you covered. Loudoun Dental Associates provides different types of dental crowns for patients in Sterling, South Riding, Dulles, and the surrounding areas. When you need proper dental care, our local dentists are there for you. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment with us.