Month: November 2020

With time, our teeth get damaged either due to dental trauma, decay, or other reasons. Such damages tend to weaken teeth structure, and if they are not well protected, the tooth’s health and the condition deteriorates. This impairs the tooth’s ability to perform its function and can lead to chewing difficulties. Nevertheless, there is a way to avoid such complications, and that method involves getting a crown.

A crown is a special type of tooth cap that is placed on the upper side of a damaged tooth. The cap offers cover and protection to the damaged tooth structure, preventing it from wearing down further. A crown is usually made of either of the following; ceramics, resin, metals, or porcelain. The type of material to be used in the making depends on the patient’s preference and needs.

Reasons Why You May Need a Tooth Crown

One may require a crown for various reasons, including:

• Need to protect a possibly weak tooth from further breakage or to hold the cracked parts together
• Covering a tooth implant or misshapen teeth
• Essence to restore a severely broken or discolored tooth
• Protecting the structures of teeth that have undergone root canal therapy
• Holding a tooth bridge where it’s supposed to be

The Different Materials Used in Crown Manufacture

• Porcelain-fused-to-metal – This type of crown is mostly used in the replacement of back and front teeth. The metallic part makes them stronger, while the porcelain gives it the ability to match the patient’s teeth. However, the porcelain portion can break off or chip, which serves as one of its significant cons.
• All-porcelain or all-ceramic – When these crowns were compared to other types of crowns, they topped the list when it came down to having the most refined natural look. They also provide an excellent alternative to persons with metal allergies and those who want to replace their front teeth. Despite them having some fantastic qualities, they also have some downfalls. One of its drawbacks is its strength. These teeth caps are weaker compared to porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and are more likely to wear down diametric teeth than resin or metal crowns.
• All-resin – Although all-resin crowns are less costly than the rest, they are prone to breaking, and they will serve you for a shorter period.
• Metal – Chromium, palladium, nickel, and gold are examples of the various types of metals used to make dental caps. Metallic crowns are famous among most people due to their strength and long lifespan. They also break or chip rarely, and their placement procedure does not require the removal of large amounts of teeth for them to fit in. Their capabilities of withstanding chewing and biting forces make them a perfect choice for the restoration of out-of-sight molars.
• Pressed ceramic – Pressed ceramic teeth crowns are built with an inner hardcore and capped with pure porcelain to provide you with the best color that perfectly blends with the rest of your teeth.
• CEREC crown – The term CEREC is an abbreviation for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. These crowns are made of strong ceramic, and its creation, design, and installation are carried out by computer-assisted technology. They are the type of crowns that you can get that very same day that you visit the dentist. The major drawbacks associated with these teeth caps is the availability and the costs. Finding a dental office that provides patients with CEREC procedures is a challenging task because it is done by a dental practitioner who has received extensive and adequate training in the operation of modern-day dental technology.

Oral Issues Associated with Crowns

Some patients report feeling some form of discomfort a few moments after the completion of the procedure. Mostly the discomfort is due to sensitivity to cold or hot beverages. Experts at Lincoln Children’s Dentistry located at Lincoln, NE, recommend using a toothpaste designed to reduce teeth sensitivity as a remedy.

Sometimes although rare, the cement that holds your crown in the position may get washed away, causing your crown to loosen a bit. This creates a pathway for harmful bacteria to access the tooth’s underneath, causing decay. If you find yourself in such a scenario, you’ll have to go back to your oral care provider for some restoration changes to avoid related complications.

To ensure that an individual makes the right choice, dental professionals urge patients to weigh the benefits and the risks of any oral cosmetic procedure before trying it. You are also required to find out whether or not you fit the criteria for the right candidate.

Tooth decay destroys your tooth leading to the formation of severe cavities. Your enamel can be destroyed, exposing your nerves and compromising with your dental shape. Decayed teeth are sensitive and vulnerable to bacterial infections. Fillings are vital in restoring your tooth functioning and dental structure. At Lincoln Children’s Dentistry, we use tooth fillings to correct your child’s severely decayed or damaged tooth. Our fillings restore the shape, functions of the tooth, and prevent further decay.

Our specialists scale-out the affected portions and reverse the action of tooth decay. The dentist near you will consider various aspects before choosing the ideal filling material for you, including the extent of your repair, reaction to allergies, and where the material will be applied.

What You Need to Expect During Your Appointment

Your dental specialist can perform the same-day procedure by taking digital X-rays before filling your cavities. During the process, your teeth are made numb to lessen discomfort. The decayed material is scaled out using specialized tools and composite resin fillings or preferred material is used to seal your cavities. Fillings are vital in repairing your damaged teeth due to grinding or dental injuries.

After applying tooth fillings on your teeth, you will likely experience pain and sensitivity, but the discomfort will fade away with time. Observing your routine oral care practices is crucial, and your specialist may recommend you to use enamel shield toothpaste to protect your teeth from sensitivity. It’s essential to use recommended toothpaste to floss and brush your teeth. The non-invasive procedure is simple, and it requires a single appointment.

Common Types of Dental Fillings

There are various options that your dentist can use for your tooth fillings, based on your condition and the aesthetic preferences.

Some of the materials used include silver amalgam, gold, porcelain, and tooth-colored composite material. The materials used vary in color and strength. Below are some of the teeth filling approaches used:

• Composite fillings are made of resin material and can match your tooth color. The composite resin fillings are durable and useful in restoring small-sized sections that handle moderate chewing.
• Ceramic cavity fillings are teeth-colored porcelain fillings used to address your dental stains.
• Amalgam Fillings are robust and ideal for sealing dental cavities in the back of your mouth, where intense chewing occurs. They are made of multiple metallic elements to cover your molar and premolar chewing grooves and prevent decay.
• Gold or silver amalgam fillings are used to provide you with an aesthetic outlook. The materials are durable and can serve you for about 15 years before replacement.
• Glass Ionomer fillings are made by blending acrylic and glass to create cavity fillings that release fluoride and protect your teeth from decay. They need to be replaced after five years.

When Do You Need to Replace Your Cavity Fillings

Tooth fillings are prone to damage, but they can serve you for years before replacement. If you clench your teeth, you might require earlier replacement of your fillings. It’s essential to visit your dentist if you identify signs of wear on your fillings. Replacement of cracked or worn fillings can prevent severe oral issues. Continuous usage of cracked fillings can lead to extensive procedures due to severe damages caused. There are potential complications related to fillings, and it’s important to regularly see your dentist for dental exams to repair and adjust them. Some of the possible complications include:

• Cracks, fallouts, and breaks cause damages. Your fillings can be damaged if you bite on hard items or through mouth trauma. It’s vital to seek immediate help from your dentist if you experience irritation or infection on your tooth fillings.
• Oral infection may cause your tooth filling to pull away from your tooth, leading to grooves’ formation. The created spaces act as a breeding site for bacteria that leads to further decay. You need to undergo repair to seal the spaces and prevent tooth decay.

At Lincoln, NE, our dental specialists use fillings to prevent the action of bacteria and plaque build-up. We reinforce your tooth and protect it from severe infections. Tooth fillings keep your tooth protected from cracks, chips, or being broken due to mouth trauma. Cavities can result in severe complications, and you need tooth fillings to ensure you preserve your dental from infections and maintain your natural tooth functionalities.