Having all of your teeth can be important for a number of reasons. Your teeth play a major role in your ability to speak and be understood. They also are critical to your ability to eat and drink a normal diet.
When some of your teeth are greatly damaged, however, it may be necessary to have them repaired. Rather than have them pulled out, you could have them restored with a Crown and Caps. You can decide if this treatment is right for you by learning what it is and what benefits it can offer to you.
Crowns and Caps Overview
Crowns and caps are coverings that fit over the teeth and restore them to their natural appearance and capabilities. A Crown or Cap may be made from a variety of materials including plastic, porcelain, or composite resin. The materials from which they are made are either white or off-white in color. This color allows the crowns and caps to look natural and blend in with the appearance of the rest of your mouth.
The procedure for putting on caps and crowns itself is relatively easy and painless. If you are nervous or afraid of feeling pain during the treatment, your dentist may apply a local anesthetic around the teeth being capped or crowned. Once you are numb, your dentist will clean the surface of the tooth to remove debris, bacteria, and viruses.
Once the tooth is cleaned, the dentist will then smooth it by shaving the surface to keep it level and flat. This flat surface is needed on which to fit the crown or cap.
With the tooth cleaned and shaved, it can now be fitted with the crown or cap. The dentist will apply a professional grade dental adhesive to it before placing it over the tooth and securing it in place. Depending on the tooth being worked on, you may need to stay in the dentist’s chair for several minutes after the fitting to ensure the cap or crown stays in place and will not budge or come loose.
Taking Care of Your Crown or Cap
Even with the cap or crown in place, it still needs to be taken care of to prevent it from coming loose or being damaged. You may find it difficult or impossible to eat some foods especially if the crown or cap is fitted over one of your front incisors.
For the first two weeks, you may be advised to avoid eating crunchy or hard foods. The texture of the foods could cause the cap or crown to break. You also should avoid foods like apples that must be bitten into hard in order to eat. You should instead cut your apples into slices and eat them with the teeth on the opposite side of where your crown or cap is fitted.
Dental crowns and caps can save the appearance of your mouth. They help you speak clearly and eat normally, which may be impossible if your damage teeth were pulled.