Dental crowns are the single most common type of restoration dentists provide people in dentistry to this day. In fact, the American College of Prosthodontists estimates that 2.3 million crowns are made annually, and that’s only for crowns designed to connect to implants. With so many people getting crowns, it’s clear that they’re a safe treatment.

However, it’s always better to go into the practice with the right expectations, instead of simply what others have told you. Consider these facts on dental crowns from a dentist.

A Brief Description of Your Tooth’s Anatomy

Before we can discuss how crowns are made, you need to understand what their purpose is and how they relate to the anatomy of your tooth. Teeth essentially consist of three main layers: the enamel, the dentin, and the pulp.

The enamel is the hard outer-shell that protects the other layers from bacteria. It is the first line of defense for these areas and very important to keep intact. The dentin layer is much thinner and not nearly as protective as enamel, therefore it won’t put up much of a fight should bacteria pass through enamel.

If bacteria breaks these layers down far enough, cavities won’t be the only problem you’ll need to deal with. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and vulnerable tissue that can easily become infected if exposed to bacteria. Besides fixing your bite and rebuilding your smile, keeping your pulp protected is a very high priority for dentists.

The Process of Receiving a Dental Crown

When you visit the dentist to receive a crown, you’ll them what issues you’re having and go through a brief oral exam. Afterwards, your dentist will begin the process of restoring and prepping your tooth for a dental crown. With the help of CEREC technology, some dentists can even produce crowns the same day as your visit, as opposed to waiting weeks for a complete fabrication from a dental lab.

Once they’ve cleaned the area and taken impressions or 3D images of your tooth, they can use that data to create a restoration.

Does Getting a Dental Crown Hurt?

In some cases, dentists are known to buff down teeth to make room for a crown, but this isn’t always the case. Even if it is needed, they’ll make sure to provide local anesthetic so you feel very little to zero discomfort during buffing and placement. Keep in mind that doing nothing and allowing the decay to spread will cause far more pain and discomfort than receiving a dental crown.

At the end of the day, crowns are meant to prevent pain and complications, not cause them. Compared to the alternative, which is needing extensive restorative treatments like root canals and dental implants, you’ll be glad you chose to restore your smile with a dental crown when you had the chance!

If you need a dental crown to save your smile, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment today!

About the Author

Dr. Johnny Cheng earned his dental degree from the Baylor College of Dentistry. Since then, he’s taken more than 500 hours of continuing education, many of which were dedicated to cosmetic dentistry. Today, he’s one of the highest rated dentists in the area. To learn more about his practice, contact him through his website.