When your dentist tells you that you need a dental crown, you might be wondering why you need this, how much it will cost, if there are alternative options, and how the procedure works. These are all common questions people have when they need a dental crown, and here are three important facts you should understand about dental crowns that may help answer some of the questions you have.

What is a dental crown?

The first question you might have is probably what a dental crown is and why you need one. A dental crown is a partial tooth made of ceramic, porcelain, or some other type of material. It is something a dentist will create just for your tooth, and it will fit over the top of a partial tooth. There are two key purposes of dental crowns, which are to improve the way teeth look and add strength to teeth that are too weak on their own.

You may need a dental crown if you have a tooth with too much decay on it, a chipped tooth, or a tooth that is cracked. You might also need one if part of your tooth falls off or if you need to go through a root canal procedure.

How does the procedure occur?

The second thing you should understand about a dental crown is the steps required to get one, and there are multiple steps to know about. The first step is preparing the tooth for the crown, and this usually involves removing the bad portions of the tooth and any extra parts needed for a crown to fit over top. Secondly, the dentist, like those at Cherry Hill Dentistry LLC, must measure the tooth and create impressions from it so a crown can be created. The dentist will then place a temporary covering over the tooth while you wait for the permanent crown. When it is finally ready, the dentist will cement it in place.

Are there alternatives to crowns?

Finally, if you are wondering whether or not there is an alternative option to a crown, you should know that there really is not a good alternative option; however, there is a chance you might be able to get a filling instead. If you choose to get a filling to fix the problem you are having, you should realize that this choice might not be a long-lasting option.

Dental crowns are extremely popular in dentistry and typically last a very long time. If you have questions about crowns, visit a dental clinic today to speak to a dentist.