What Is a Tooth Cap (Dental Crown)?
What is a tooth cap? A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth to cover the tooth and restore its shape and size. A dental crown may also be used to improve the appearance of a tooth, protect a damaged tooth, or support a dental bridge. Dental crowns are usually made from porcelain or ceramic, and they can be matched to the color of your natural teeth. In some cases, gold or metal alloys may be used. With proper care, dental crowns can last for years. However, they may eventually need to be replaced due to wear and tear or decay.
What Are Crowns Made Of? Types of Dental Crowns
Now that we know the answer to “What is a tooth cap?”, let’s dive a bit deeper. There are three main types of crowns: metal, porcelain, and ceramic.
Metal crowns are made from a gold alloy and are often used on molars, as they are very durable. An expensive metal cap option is a gold crown. Porcelain crowns are made from a porcelain-like material and are less likely to discolor than gold crowns. They are often used on front teeth. Ceramic crowns are made from a type of ceramic that is similar to porcelain. They are also less likely to discolor than gold crowns and are often used on front teeth.
What Does a Dental Crown Procedure Look Like?
A dental crown usually takes two dental visits to complete. During the first visit, your dentist will prepare your tooth by removing any decay and shaping the surface to fit the crown. An impression will then be made of your teeth, which will be used to create your custom-made tooth cap. In the meantime, you will be given a temporary crown to wear.
During your second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and place the permanent crown over your prepared tooth. The crown will then be checked for fit and bite and adjusted as necessary. Finally, the permanent crown will be cemented into place.
What Is a Temporary Dental Cap?
What is a tooth cap? You already know! But what is a temporary one?
A temporary dental crown is a tooth-colored cap that is placed over a tooth to protect it while a permanent crown is being made. A temporary crown can be made of different materials, including plastic, metal, or ceramic. It is typically used for front teeth and molars. The tooth cap is placed over the tooth and held in place with dental cement.
It is important to take care of a temporary dental crown and avoid eating hard or sticky foods that could damage it. Once the permanent crown is ready, the temporary crown will be removed and replaced with the permanent one.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Temporary tooth caps are not meant to last for long. They are safe to wear for 3 weeks, and they will not fall apart right after that. However, it is not advised to wear it for longer than a month. If it falls apart and is not filled for a long time, it may even cause tooth decay.
Most permanent crowns will last for many years, but they may eventually need to be replaced due to wear or damage. With proper care and maintenance, however, certain dental crowns can last even 10 years. The most important thing is to come for regular check up visits to your dentist so that they can assess the crown.
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