Dental Crowns in Broomfield, CO

What Are Dental Crowns Made Of?

Crowns are either made of metals, resins, or ceramics.

Below are the most common types of dental crowns

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

This is a complicated question. Dental crowns are not invincible, they are like your natural teeth and when neglected or without proper care, can form another cavity underneath. If you bite into something very hard, open a bottle or a jar for example, they can break. Some older crowns may show open margins, which is spacing between the tooth and the crown. Within these openings, bacteria and saliva may enter and cause a new cavity. This can be detected by radiographic x-rays and tactile. Early detection of these instances can help avoid further extensive treatment, such as a root canal.

With proper care (brushing/flossing) and proper maintenance (bi-yearly cleanings) crowns can last years and maybe even a lifetime. Insurance will usually cover a crown every 5 years. Longevity can be maintained with routine care and careful monitoring by your dentist. This is why seeing a preventive dentist is crucial.

Crown Diagnosis

Do I Really Need Dental Crowns?

A crown may be recommended or indicated when you:

What Can Happen If I Don’t Get a Crown When One Was Recommended?

When more than a fourth of your tooth is significantly damaged or compromised and/or is supported with more dental material than tooth, it can cause a lot of stress. This type of stress can lead to tooth fractures, resulting in situations where further treatment (such as a root canal) may be needed. It can also result in a tooth that was once savable no longer being savable.

Placing a Crown Over a Fragile Unsupported Tooth Helps Distribute Biting Force More Evenly, Providing Strength and Support

A root canal treated molar is great example of a fragile tooth. The tooth is very brittle and weak since there is not enough remaining healthy tooth structure for support. Your molars are the back teeth that bear most of the forces and need the strongest protection. If you are constantly putting pressure or force on a weakened tooth it will be bound to break. This is why it is important to consult with your dentist for the best preventive outcome.

Dental Crown Treatment

What Is the Process of Applying a Crown? Does It Hurt?

The process of a crown is similar to a tooth colored filling. Local anesthetic is administered so you will not feel any pain during the procedure. Your dentist should make sure you are completely comfortable in the chair. In general, the procedure takes about an hour, but can take longer depending on how extensive the cavity or fracture is.

Usually the dental crown is a two-appointment process that consists of two main steps: preparation and final cementation

Preparation Stage

1. The dentist prepares the tooth by removing any large cavity, existing filling material or fracture.
2. A core build-up is placed when a large cavitation or fracture is present so that you are not left with a large hollow hole. A core build-up is material placed for strength and support of the tooth and crown. In some cases, it may not be necessary.
3. An impression is taken to provide the lab the exact model in order to fabricate the crown. Impressions can be made by a mold or a digital scanner.
4. A temporary crown is placed in the meantime during the lab’s fabrication of the crown. This will shield and protect the tooth for a couple of weeks. While the temporary crown is in, it is important to avoid direct contact, chewing crunchy, hard, or taffy-like things to prevent the temporary crown from breaking or coming off. Since the tooth has been worked on, patients will usually feel some soreness around the gums in that area and may have some hot/cold sensitivity. These symptoms usually resolve after a couple of days.

Cementation

Once the dental crown is back from the lab, the dentist will make sure your crown properly fits, and is adjusted to your original bite. The fit can be double checked by taking a radiographic x-ray before the crown is permanently cemented. Once it is permanently cemented you will be able to go back to chewing properly and flossing regularly in that area.

Core Build-Up

A core build-up is a resin-based restoration used to hold together remaining tooth structure that has decayed or been damaged.

When there is an extensive cavity or damage, the damaged part of your tooth will be removed. In order for the tooth to hold its strength, it will need something (core build-up) to fill that space. If nothing is placed, the tooth would have a hollow hole and be susceptible to fracture.

A core-build procedure is similar to a filling. Many times a core build-up is placed during crown preparation. This is so there is enough tooth structure to hold up the crown to be cemented for stability and strength.

Indications of Core Build-Up:

What Types of Inlays and Onlays Are There?

Both inlays and onlays are made of porcelain, gold or composite resin material. Below is a table describing some pros and cons to each of the materials.

Porcelain Inlays/Onlays

Gold Inlays/Onlays

Composite Inlays/Onlays

What Is the Process of an Inlay or Onlay? Does It Hurt?

The process of an inlay or onlay is similar to a crown preparation. Local anesthetic is administered so you will not feel any pain during the procedure. Your dentist should make sure you are completely comfortable in the chair. In general, the procedure takes about an hour but can take longer depending on how extensive the cavity or fracture is.

Usually the inlay or onlay is a two-appointment process that consists of two main steps: preparation and final cementation/bonding)

Preparation Stage

1. The dentist prepares the tooth by removing any large cavity, existing filling material or fracture.
2. An impression is taken to provide the lab the exact model in order to fabricate the crown. Impressions can be made by a mold or a digital scanner.
3. A temporary inlay or onlay is placed in the meantime during the lab’s fabrication of the restoration. This will shield and protect the tooth for a couple of weeks. While the temporary restoration is in, it is important to avoid direct contact, chewing crunchy, hard, or taffy-like things to prevent the temporary restoration from breaking or coming off. Since the tooth has been worked on, patients will usually feel some soreness around the gums in that area and may have some hot/cold sensitivity. These symptoms usually resolve after a couple of days.

Cementation/Bonding

Once the inlay or onlay is back the dentist will make sure your restoration properly fits, and is adjusted to your original bite. The fit can be double checked by taking a radiographic x-ray before the restoration is permanently cemented or bonded. Once it is permanently cemented/ bonded you will be able to go back to chewing properly and flossing regularly in that area.