Dental crowns are a great option for many people because they are easy and fairly cost-effective. Dental crowns are a “cap” or “crown” that is placed over a damaged tooth to help protect it and keep damage from spreading.
There are quite a few reasons someone may need a dental filling and they include:
Crown Preparation: The tooth is shaved down so that a crown can be fitted without getting in the way of other teeth.
Margin: The edge of the crown that ends up meeting the tooth surface.
Cusps: The part of the tooth that is raised and used to tear into food.
Partial Crown/Onlay: Restoration meant to cover some cusps but not all of them.
Dental Veneer: Porcelain veneers just cover part of the tooth to hide damage or discoloration to protect it and improve appearance.
Temporary/Provisional: Temporary crown that is used while waiting for a full procedure.
Crowns can be made of multiple types of materials. These types include gold or metal alloys, stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic, composite resin, zirconia, or a porcelain casing with another material in the middle.
When a dental crown is decided on there are a few steps to the procedure. First the tooth is numbed with an anesthesia so pain or discomfort cannot be felt. The tooth is shaved down slightly so that a crown can fit onto the tooth without getting in the way of other teeth and fits properly. An impression of the tooth is made with a mold so that a proper crown can be custom made. Usually a temporary crown is made to be used until the permanent fixture is produced.
If you are looking to get a dental crown but happen to be pregnant it is better to wait until after pregnancy to minimize any potential risks or issues.