When planning for restorations for damaged teeth, such as dental crowns, patients have a number of concerns. For example, they may wonder how the crown will affect their chewing function, forcing them to give up their favorite foods. The good news is that dental crowns are quite strong and help to preserve the functionality of the biological tooth, including its ability to participate in chewing a variety of foods.
Dental crowns are typically made of porcelain or ceramic materials, which may or may not be combined with metal to give the restoration additional strength. Furthermore, after the dentist bonds the crown to your biological tooth, that also makes it heartier and able to withstand normal chewing forces, within reason.
Of course, dental crowns are not indestructible. Patients should use common sense. If you attempt to chew anything that could harm your natural tooth, it has the potential to damage a dental crown, as well. Your dentist will give you more detailed instructions on limitations of your new dental crown, as well as information on oral hygiene necessary to keep the crown in good condition.
In addition to being rather strong, dental crowns come with a quick treatment timeline. After an initial consultation in which all necessary data is collected, that information is then forwarded to the dental lab that will design and create the crown. That process takes a few weeks. When the crown is ready, the patient returns to the office to have the crown bonded in the tooth. While you are waiting for the permanent crown, you may be fitted with a temporary restoration that is not as durable as the permanent crown.
You should be able to eat nearly all foods after you get a dental crown, although your provider may give you some specific restrictions to protect the longevity of the restoration. Be sure that you understand the directions for caring for your dental crown, including what you can eat and what you should avoid.
If you have any questions about the maintenance of your dental crown, don’t hesitate to ask one of our knowledgeable staff members.
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