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Questions About Your Dental Crown

Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, Oakleaf, Orange Park

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a covering for your entire tooth. It preserves the tooth and strengthens it. When combined with endodontic work (root canals), it is used to protect the root canal and help prevent the tooth from fracturing. Dental crowns are sometimes called caps.

Why might I need a dental crown?

Most often dental crowns are placed on teeth that are very weak or have an area of decay too large to fill. Other circumstances are:

Fractured teeth
After a root canal
Teeth that have been damaged by metal fillings
Brittle or weak teeth

Will my dental crown be comfortable?

Yes, it will be carefully crafted for a precise fit on the remainder of your existing tooth and to meet properly with the opposing tooth. It will be the same shape and size as your original tooth so it will feel completely normal. For most people a crown increases their comfort by relieving the pain caused by a damaged tooth.

Will my dental crown require special care or a change in my diet?

No. Your crown will be strong, durable, and stain-resistant. You will care for it just as you do your natural teeth.

What will my dental crown look like?

If you choose an all-porcelain crown, it will look like your original tooth or better. The shape and color will be matched to your other teeth, and since porcelain interacts with light in the same way as tooth enamel, it will not be detectable as a crown.

If you choose a porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown, the color and shape will be the same as your neighboring teeth. The metal will not be visible for many years, but it will slightly interfere with the way the porcelain interacts with light. It will eventually become visible as a dark line along the gums as they recede with age.

Is it true that dental crowns have a tendency to pop off?

Not when they are done by an experienced and fully-qualified dentist, unless a person uses that tooth to remove a bottle cap or some other inappropriate action.

When a dental crown is made with a very precise fit and bonded properly, it is stable and long lasting. However, after many years of dealing with the normal forces of chewing, some crowns do have to be re-seated.

Why bother with a dental crown instead of just pulling the tooth?

In some cases, extracting the tooth will be the better choice or the only one. However, Dr. Blankenship will always save a tooth whenever possible. Once a tooth is removed, it needs to be replaced promptly to prevent gum and jawbone shrinkage. A dental implant prevents this by replacing the tooth root and anchoring a replacement tooth.

If you have more questions about dental crowns, please contact our Ponte Vedra and Oakleaf, Jacksonville, Florida area offices to schedule your complimentary cosmetic consultation. In the meantime, we invite you to read about How Dental Crowns Are Made.