It can be traumatic for some people to lose a tooth. Needing to have a tooth extracted due to tooth decay can be downright embarrassing. However, you can experience relief and elation when you have a restoration put in place. The simple joy of having your smile restored can feel life-changing. That’s why it can feel horrible when wear and tear or trauma from an injury cause restoration damage. Take heart! Modern innovations didn’t just make new and better restorations; they’ve also created ways to repair them!
Discovering Dental Crowns And Their Repair
A crown is a common restoration to be offered when a tooth is damaged or lost. Regardless of whether the source of damage is physical trauma or tooth decay, they’re a beautiful solution. They can even be an option to replace a tooth when a dental extraction is needed. When they become damaged, there are often ways your dentist can repair them. In the worst cases, your crown may have to be completely replaced. For these replacements, the crown is placed on a titanium mount known as a dental implant. When you get a dental restoration, there are multiple materials available:
- Ceramic: Resilient, beautiful, and versatile, ceramics are a favored material choice. They replicate the natural beauty of your teeth and are reasonably durable.
- Resin: Low-cost, easy to shape, and quick to get, resin is a common temporary restoration choice. It simply lacks the durability and beauty necessary to be popular for long-term solutions. When necessary, it can be used as a permanent installment. Unfortunately, it will need to be replaced or repaired often.
- Porcelain Fused to Metal: Want a combination of aesthetics and lasting durability? PFM crowns are a popular choice for those wanting a little extra security. While they can show some metal at the gum line, they’re hard to tell from natural teeth.
- Base Metal Alloys: Gold alloys were once used due to their ability to resist corrosion. Later they were valued as a vanity item due to the cost of the material. Today they are used in cases where durability and longevity are required. However, they can’t be mistaken for natural teeth. This leads some patients to only get these restorations with their rear teeth.
The most common materials have an overall lifetime of about fifteen years. Porcelain is the most popular choice but tends to need repair more often. When repair is necessary, it is often accomplished using a composite resin blended to match the tooth color.
First Steps When Your Dental Crown Is Damaged
You should immediately speak to your dentist if you discover that your crown is broken. The first thing they’ll do is a quick phone consultation. If it’s determined that emergency care is needed, they’ll send you to the ER. Otherwise, they’ll arrange a visit to their office in a couple of days. At this point, they’ll do an in-person assessment. After the overall extent of the damage is determined, they’ll offer repair or replacement options.
Speak To Your Dental Provider To Learn More
Concerns about dental crowns that aren’t covered here should be referred to your dentist. Their education and experience will provide excellent guidance on what to do next. Dental restoration repair restores thousands of smiles every year; make yours one of them.
