Why Are Dental Crowns Important?

What are dental crowns?

Crowns and most bridges are prostheses that are permanently attached to the teeth. Unlike removable dentures, which can be removed and cleaned daily, crowns are cemented over existing teeth or implants, and only a dentist can remove them.

What are dental crowns made of?

There are many types of materials used to make dental crowns. They include:

1. Ceramic (porcelain) – tooth colored
2. Zirconia (solid or layered with porcelain) – tooth colored
3. Lithium Disilicate (E-max®) – tooth colored
4. Metal-ceramic (a metal coping is used on the inside lining for strength, and layered with ceramic) – tooth colored
5. Gold alloys – gold colored
6. Base metal alloys – silver colored

How are crowns made?

Before making a crown or bridge, your Pasadena dentist must reduce the size of the tooth or teeth so that the crown fits on it correctly, and so the crown is the desired size and shape. Next, the dentist will take a dental impression to provide an exact mold for the crown. If you are going to use porcelain or other tooth colored materials, the dentist will determine the correct color so that the color of the crown or bridge matches that of your teeth.

Using this impression, a dental laboratory makes the crown from the material specified by the dentist. While performing the crown, the dentist will place a temporary crown to cover the prepared tooth for a few weeks. When the permanent crown is ready, the patient will return, and the temporary crown will be removed and the final one will be cemented to the prepared tooth.

How long do crowns last?

While crowns can last a lifetime, they sometimes get loose or come off. The most important measure you can take to ensure the longevity of your crown is to practice good oral hygiene. If the teeth or bone that hold a crown are damaged by a dental disease, the crown will lose support. Keep your gums and teeth healthy by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, using dental floss and mouthwash daily. Also, consult the dentist and hygienist periodically for dental checkups and cleaning.

To prevent damage to your new crown, avoid chewing on hard foods, ice or other hard objects.

Who is a candidate for dental crowns?

To recommend a dental crown, our Pasadena dentist relies on the following factors that can occur in the patient's mouth: weak and extensively compromised tooth, fracture of a tooth, severe tooth wear and poor resistance of the enamel structure, lack of a tooth, need for improving the appearance of the mouth, following the completion of root canal therapy (endodontic treatment), or the need to cover a dental implant.

Procedure for dental crowns

If your Pasadena dentist recommends the placement of a dental crown, talk to them about the materials that can be used. Ask about the duration of the procedure and what you need to do to make the procedure successful.

How many appointments do I need for a dental crown?

The procedure of installing a dental crown is usually accomplished in two dental visits. During your first appointment, the dentist will examine the tooth to make sure it can support a crown, and then will prepare it for the crown. A highly skilled dental lab will then make the final crown, which will be cemented to the tooth a few weeks after the first visit.

Are dental crowns painful?

The tooth being restored is numbed so that it isn't painful during the crown preparation. After the procedure is over and the anesthesia has worn off, the patient may feel some sensitivity with the temporary crown or some soreness in the gums around the tooth. The pain will be very minimal and it shouldn't last long.

Can dental crowns fall out?

With our specialized techniques, it is extremely rare for a permanent crown to fall out or get loose. The temporary crowns can sometimes come loose or crack, in which case they are promptly repaired or recemented.

What do I do if my dental crown falls off?

If your crown falls out, see your dentist right away. You can put your crown in a plastic ziploc baggie so your dentist can put it back on for you. DO NOT try to glue it back on! Crowns are kept in place by mechanical retention and specialized cements.

How long do dental crowns last?

The average lifespan for a well-maintained dental crown is typically around 15 years. However, if you take good care of them, they can last up to 25-30 years, or even longer.

How much are dental crowns?

Dental crowns usually start around $900 per tooth, depending on your Pasadena dentist. The exact cost of a dental crown will be determined by a number of factors including the type of crown, material that your dentist recommends, condition of the tooth, insurance benefits, etc. During your exam and consultation appointment, the Prestige Dental team in Pasadena will review the precise fees.

What happens if I don’t get a dental crown?

If you don't get a dental crown, you may develop fractures on the areas of the tooth weakened by decay, extensive fillings or cusp fracture.

For more information on dental crowns, please contact Dr. Bouzoghlanian at Prestige Dental by calling (626) 577-2017. Our Pasadena dentist will be happy to guide you during all the steps of your treatment!

Location: 1060 E Green St #203, Pasadena, CA 91106