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Three Answers To Dental Crown Questions You Need To Know

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Receiving a dental crown is a common procedure that many patients will need to undergo at some point during their lives. If you need to have a dental crown placed, you should make sure that you are as informed as possible about these dental devices and what to expect from this procedure.

Why Is It Sometimes Necessary To Place A Dental Crown Over A Tooth?

There can be a number of instances where placing a dental crown is a necessary procedure. For example, this can be a common procedure when a tooth has suffered extensive decay, cracks, or chips. The purpose of a dental crown is strengthening and protecting the tooth against further damage, as teeth with these damages can be far more likely to break. While receiving a crown may be somewhat inconvenient and intimidating, it can be the best option for saving your damaged tooth from needing to be extracted.

How Painful Will It Be To Have The Crown Installed?

Dental patients will often make the critical error of delaying having a crown placed due to fears about this procedure being painful. However, receiving a crown is not a particularly painful procedure. In fact, the treatment to repair the initial damage to the tooth will often cause more discomfort than the actual dental crown. When a crown is placed, your dentist will gently remove some of the enamel from your tooth. This is necessary to make room for the crown, and while this procedure is not particularly painful, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic before the start of this process. Once the crown has been installed, you may continue to experience some mild discomfort, but this should pass within a couple of days. Over-the-counter pain medications will usually be more than sufficient to mitigate this discomfort.

Are All Dental Crowns The Same?

Interestingly, it is important to note that you will have some choice when it comes to the type of dental crown that is used. Porcelain has a strong resemblance to natural teeth, which can make it ideal for teeth that are visible when you smile. However, porcelain can be somewhat expensive. For teeth that cannot easily be seen, you may be better served by opting for a metal crown, as it will have a significantly lower cost. In some instances, it may be possible to use a composite resin crown, which can be one of the lowest-cost options. However, only your dentist will be able to determine if this type of crown is a suitable repair option.

For more information on dental crowns, contact a dentist at a dental clinic like Four Corners Dental Group.


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