If you’ve ever gone to the dentist and been told that you need a tooth cap, you might be wondering what that is. A tooth cap, also known as a dental crown, is a restoration that covers the entire surface of a tooth. It is used to restore the function and appearance of a tooth that has been damaged or lost its natural structure. Here’s everything you need to know about dental caps!
There are many reasons why you might need a dental crown. If you have a tooth that is severely decayed or damaged, a crown can protect it from further damage and restore its function. Crowns are also used to:
- support teeth with large fillings
- hold dental bridges in place
- cover implants
- restore tooth after a root canal
- improve the appearance of a tooth
- even out the bite
Dental caps can be made from different materials, including:
- ceramic
- porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM)
- gold alloys
- base metal alloys
- composite resin
- zirconia
The type of material used for your crown will depend on the location of the tooth, your personal preference, and your dentist’s recommendation. It will also depend on whether you are having a temporary or permanent crown placed. Temporary crowns are made in the dentist’s office and are generally made from stainless steel or composite resin. They are typically used to protect the tooth for a few weeks while the permanent crown is being made. Permanent crowns are made in a dental laboratory out of quality dental materials and are then cemented into place.
The process of getting a dental crown usually takes place over two appointments. During the first appointment, the tooth is prepared and an impression is taken. This impression is then used to make the permanent crown in a dental laboratory. At the second appointment, the permanent crown is placed on the tooth and cemented into place.
However, some high-tech dental offices have what is known as an in-office milling machine. This machine can make your permanent crown while you wait! In this case, you would only need one appointment to get your dental crown. This also means that you won’t need to have a temporary crown placed since the permanent crown can be placed during a single appointment.
In Conclusion
In this blog post, we have answered the question: what is a tooth cap? by providing a basic definition of a dental cap/crown and what the difference is between the two terms. We have also mentioned some of the reasons why a dental cap would be necessary. Next, we have described the different dental materials used to make dental crowns, as well as the difference between a permanent and temporary crown. Finally, we have outlined the process of having a dental crown placed, both with and without an in-office milling machine. We hope that this blog post has been helpful in answering your questions about dental crowns!
If you have any further questions, or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our office. We would be more than happy to assist you! Thank you for reading!
