Crowns are commonly used in dentistry to repair teeth that have large cavities. They can be put on front teeth to repair them and make the teeth more attractive. They are also put on back teeth for grinding and chewing. Crowns are quite durable and they can last a long time. Here's why you may need a crown when you go to the dentist, and how your dentist can put one on.

Why Crowns Are Needed

These dental appliances are like caps that fit down over your teeth. They're entirely different from fillings that fill holes and cling to your tooth. When a hole in your tooth is too big after a cavity is removed, a filling may not stay in it, so your dentist has to choose another option. The crown slides over your tooth and seals in place to keep air, liquids, and food out of the cavity and to prevent pain.

These dental appliances are also put on teeth that have root canals. Plus, they are used on top of implants. They look like natural teeth and function just like your other teeth.

How A Dentist Puts On A Crown

First, the dentist has to remove all of the decay from your tooth. Once that's done, the dentist can make a mold of your teeth so the dental appliance can be made in a lab. It takes time for the lab to do the work, so you'll go home with a temporary tooth replacement. It's not intended to last very long, so you'll want to keep your dental appointment to get your permanent crown put in.

How You Care For The Dental Appliance

It's important to remember that you can still get gum disease and a tooth infection in the tooth even though it's covered with the dental appliance. For that reason, it's important to continue with good oral hygiene. You'll need to brush and floss daily and continue dental cleanings and visits to keep all of your teeth healthy.

How To Choose Your Crown

These dental appliances are made from different materials, so your dentist can explain each one and help you pick out the best choice. For instance, porcelain looks the most like a natural tooth, so you may want porcelain if your tooth is in the front where it can be seen when you smile.

Gold is one of the stronger metals, so you may want gold on a back tooth that does a lot of chewing and grinding. Other choices include metal alloys, porcelain fused to metal, and resin. You'll want to make sure you don't have a metal allergy if you choose a metal option, especially one that contains nickel since nickel is a fairly common allergen.