You may have heard the term “tooth cap” before, but you’re not sure what it means. In this blog post, we will provide a basic definition of a tooth cap and explain the difference between the terms dental cap and dental crown. We’ll also discuss some reasons why you might need a tooth cap, what materials they are made from, and what to expect when having one placed. Stay tuned!
What is a tooth cap?
A tooth cap, also known as a dental crown, is a type of dental restoration that covers the entire tooth. Unlike a filling, which only fills in the cavity of the tooth, a crown encases the entire tooth. This is necessary when there is not enough healthy tooth remaining to support a filling. Crowns are also used:
- to cover misshapen or discolored teeth
- to support a dental bridge
- to protect a tooth that has been weakened by decay
- to cover a dental implant
- to restore severely decayed or damaged teeth
What materials are dental crowns made from?
Dental crowns can be made from a variety of materials, including porcelain, ceramic, metal, and composite resin. Porcelain and ceramic crowns are the most popular choice because they best match the color of your natural teeth. In fact, most dentists now recommend either porcelain or ceramic crowns. Metal crowns were once a good option, but they are highly visible and are no longer as common as they once were. In some cases, your dentist may recommend a porcelain fused to metal (PFM) option, which is made of a metal interior coated in porcelain. Composite resin crowns are less expensive than other options, but they are not as durable and can discolor over time. Because of this, composite crowns are often used as temporary dental crowns.
A temporary crown is made from a mold of your tooth and is used to protect the tooth while the permanent crown is being made. As mentioned above, temporary crowns are made of cheaper materials since they only need to last a few weeks. A permanent crown is made from quality dental materials and is meant to be a long-term solution. Once the permanent crown is ready, it will be cemented into place and the temporary crown will be removed.
What can I expect when having a dental crown placed?
The process of having a dental crown placed usually takes two visits to the dentist. This is because your dentist will need to prepare the tooth, take a dental impression, and then send off the necessary information so that a dental lab can fabricate the final restoration. In cases where an in-office milling machine is present, the entire process can be completed in one appointment.
During the first visit, your tooth will be prepared for the crown by removing any decay or damaged tissue. Once the tooth is prepared, your dentist will take a dental impression of the tooth so that they can send it off to the lab. To protect your tooth until the second appointment, a temporary crown will be placed over the prepared tooth.
At your second appointment, the temporary crown will be removed and replaced with your permanent crown. Your dentist will check to make sure that the fit and bite are correct, and then they will cement the crown into place. Once the cement has hardened, your new dental crown is ready to use!
In Conclusion
In this blog post, we have discussed what a tooth cap is and some of the reasons why you might need one. We’ve also gone over the different materials that dental crowns can be made from and the difference between temporary and permanent crowns. Finally, we described the process of having a dental crown placed. We hope this blog post has helped answer some of your questions about tooth caps! If you’re considering getting a dental crown, be sure to talk to your dentist about which material is right for you. Thanks for reading!
Dr. Sadati possesses extensive experience in all aspects of advanced restorative dentistry, with an emphasis in cosmetic and implant dentistry. He has attained Accredited Fellow status in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), the most rigorous, demanding credentialing process in the world. He is the only AACD Accredited Fellow in South Florida.
