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SRUTI
A LIGAMENT tear following a fall forced Trisha
to take bed rest for nearly 6 weeks. The aching
leg apart, she was confused as what next to do
about a broken tooth which did not give toth
pain but conceivably distorted her once perfect
smile. Her answer lay in dental crowns.
What are dental crowns and when do you
need them?
A dental crown (or a cap) is a form of dental
restoration which cups over the portion of a
tooth which lies at and above the gum line. In
Comparison, dental fillings are used to fill in
or cover over just a portion of a tooth, whereas
a dental crown encases the entire visible aspect
of a tooth and in effect becomes the tooth’s new
outer surface.
Dental Crowns are used to
l. Restore tooth to its original shape
When teeth are fractured or get worn out, they
are invariably subjected to sensitivity. Dental
crowns rebuild the original contour where dental
fillings do not serve the purpose.
2. Strengthen weakened teeth
The dental crown when cemented to the tooth acts
as a splint thereby strengthening root
canal-treated teeth
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and large
portions of teeth destroyed by tooth decay.
3. Improve cosmetic appearance of teeth
Dental crowns are often used to mask misshaped
teeth like 'peg laterals', discoloured teeth,
stained or fluorosisaffected teeth. The denal
crowns are made of gold alloy, metal alloy,
porcelain or a combination and are fabricated
outside the mouth and are then cemented onto the
particular teeth.
Consequences of not placing a dental
crown
1. The tooth cracks
2. The tooth becomes sensitive .
3. The tooth breaks
Steps involved in the making of a dental crown
It takes two appointments for a dentist to make
a dental crown for a tooth
I. The first appointment :
1. The tooth and gum tissue surrounding it is
numbed by local anaesthesia.
2. Tooth structure is adequately reduced and
shaped to accommodate the dental crown on it so
that it is not oversized.
3. An impression is taken by way of making a
dental mould of the tooth using an impression
material which is then sent to the lab to create
a plaster cast of the teeth. A dental technician
will fabricate your teeth crowns so it fits
accurately on the plaster cast.
4. It generally takes about 3 to 4 days for the
dental crown to be fabricated at the lab. So a
temporary teeth crown usually made of plastic is
made in the lab. The temporary teeth crown is
fixed with a temporary cement so that it can be
easily removed.
5. For porcelain (ceramic) crowns, the shade
that closely matches the tooth’s neighbouring
teeth is selected
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with the help of
a shade guide.
II: Second appointment
The permanent dental crown is ready. The
temperary teeth crown is now removed and the
permanent dental crown is first seated in place
to evaluate the fit and bite. Dental cement is
then placed inside the dental crown and then
seated over the tooth. After a few moments the
excess cement is scraped away.
The placement is now complete.
The after math
l. It is sensitive :
Sensitivity to beverages hot and cold at the
edge of the gum line may be present for which a
potassium nitrate containing toothpaste will be
prescribed by the dentist and will take care of
the problem.
2.The bite seems off : The bite
may not be as comfortable as before as a new
object has been placed in the mouth and you feel
very conscious of it in the beginning. But
adjustments with a dental tool will be made by
the dentist until the patient is comfortable
with the bite.
3.The dental crown has come off:
Inform the dentist immediately (so you don’t end
up swallowing it!) and the crown can be
recemented.
Dental crowns are by far the most effective and
permanent remedy for discoloured, misshapen,
weakened and fractured teeth for which dental
fillings, veneers, teeth whitening do not help.
“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown” said
Shakespeare but easy lies the tooth that wears a
dental crown!!
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