Your teeth age over time along with the rest of your body. Normal chewing habits can break your teeth down slowly over time, as well as issues such as trauma, fillings, and tooth decay. When a tooth is weakening and is in danger of deteriorating further or fracturing, a gold dental crown can be used to protect the tooth. These gold crowns can also be used to protect a tooth that has undergone a root canal or has a previous worn down or defective crown. Gold crowns are known for their longevity, lasting for decades, while porcelain crowns are known to fail far more frequently. Cast gold crowns have become less popular due to their appearance in recent years, but cannot be beat for their long-term protection of your teeth and for providing the least amount of wear to the opposing teeth, whereas porcelain crowns, while more attractive, can badly abrade and wear the teeth the teeth they touch on the opposing jaw.
Placing a gold dental crown usually takes two visits to your dentist. The first visit includes preparing your damaged tooth to have the crown fit over it properly and having an impression taken and finally inserting a temporary crown to protect your tooth while the permanent crown is being created. The impression of your tooth is then sent to a laboratory that custom-fits your gold crown to fit properly in your mouth. On your second visit, the temporary crown is removed and your gold crown is checked for fit and shape. If the crown is comfortable, it is cemented into place.
After the bonding of your gold crown to your tooth, you may feel a few side effects for several days. Aching, mild discomfort, pain when chewing or temperature sensitivity in that tooth are common. If these symptoms do not fade after a few days, or if your bite feels wrong or the crown seems too tall, contact your dentist at Aesthetic Dentristry of Arrowhead.
How long your crown lasts is greatly affected by both the materials the crown is made of, and your personal habits such as oral hygiene, diet, and health of the supporting gums and surrounding teeth. Maintaining a regular brushing and flossing schedule as well as visiting your dentist for scheduled dental examinations can ensure your crown lasts for 50 years or more.
Visit Aesthetic Dentistry of Arrowhead in North Phoenix, AZ to see if a gold crown will fit your dental needs.