Teeth that are chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged benefit from dental crowns, which are tooth-shaped caps that protect them while helping them maintain their normal function. You may need one if you’ve recently had oral surgery, such as a root canal, or if a tooth was injured. Here’s a closer look at how they’re made and what to expect.

What Materials Are Used? 

Some dental crowns are fashioned from metal, such as titanium, chromium, mercury, gold, or silver. They’re strong and highly resistant to chipping, breakage, and corrosion, which is why they often last around 15 years. However, their unnatural appearance makes them stand out, so you may want them for back teeth only. 

Porcelain solves the problem of appearance; its color closely matches that of natural teeth. Although porcelain dental crowns are more prone to cracking or chipping than metal ones, they’re still strong enough to last between five and 15 years if you take good care of them.  

Fusing porcelain to metal gives you some of the advantages of both materials. The shell of the crown is made from metal, but it’s topped with a coating of porcelain so that it still looks natural. With good dental hygiene, you can enjoy the crown for up to 15 years before a replacement is needed. 

What Does the Process Entail?

Once your dentist determines that you need dental crowns, they’ll take impressions of the damaged teeth and send them to a lab. There, a technician will use the shape of your teeth and how they fit together to create a mold. 

Since this process can take about two weeks, your dentist will provide temporary crowns to protect your teeth until your next visit. Once the permanent ones arrive, the dentist will apply an adherent inside the crown and then place it over the relevant tooth, making any necessary adjustments to ensure it fits properly.  

High-quality dental crowns are available for placement in your mouth with the help of Lowitz & Meier in Cincinnati, OH. Specializing in orthodontics and family dentistry, they pride themselves in offering only top-notch services and products to promote their patients’ long-term health. This is the reason they earned the Angie’s List® 2013 Super Service Award. Experience their expertise for yourself by calling (513) 521-8900 or messaging them online to book an appointment.