A Guide To Dental Crowns And Implants
If you lost a tooth or a significant portion of a tooth, then there is a good chance that you will need either a crown or a crown and implant combination. To help you get a better understanding of what these dental tools are, here is an overview of dental crowns and implants:
Crowns
A crown is a replacement cap that is generally used where a simple filling would be insufficient. A filling corrects small imperfections and helps protect the tooth against further decay, ultimately reinforcing the integrity of the tooth. Crowns, on the other hand, are needed where teeth are missing huge amounts of enamel and/or pulp. Crowns are mostly used when you either need a root canal or an entire tooth replacement.
Crowns are also pretty complicated and must be custom-made for every situation. If you only need to replace part of your tooth, such as after a root canal procedure, then your dentist will need to take a variety of measurements of your tooth. This will be used to make a temporary crown that you will immediately wear while you wait for the actual crown to be produced. These measurements will be sent to a production facility, where the crown will be precisely built. Within a few weeks or months, you will need to get the temporary crown removed and the permanent crown installed.
Implants
An implant is a small device that is attached to your jawbone to act as a synthetic root. This root is positioned somewhat similarly to the roots of natural teeth and acts as a foundation for a crown. The implant is then connected to something called an abutment, which acts as a connecting device between the implant and the crown. Finally, a crown is actually fixed to the top of the abutment, completing the implant. At this point, your new tooth will look and feel extremely realistic.
Concerns About Installation Length
If you are worried about the installation of the crown being a complicated process, you shouldn't be. It's a lot quicker and much less painless than a root canal and takes even less time than the measuring process. However, if you are concerned about the comfort and fit of the crown, you should immediately talk to your dentist. If it is installed too loosely, then food and bacteria can get into the gaps. In turn, this can result in rapid infection and decay. if the crown is too tight, then it could cause extreme pain and structural weakness in the tooth, surrounding teeth, and your gums.
For more information, contact a local clinic (like South Shore Prosthodontics).