The tooth may have a large filling, a crack, or be damaged by decay. Sometimes there is not much discomfort to speak of. A tooth can be a fragile thing.<\/p>\r\n
\u2022 A cracked tooth can “feel fine” one day and “be odd” the next; a tooth in need of a crown may not always announce itself<\/p>\r\n
\u2022 The tooth may have large fillings; this leaves little tooth structure left, which makes a crown a necessary option rather than just an esthetic improvement.<\/p>\r\n
The dentist will check that the tooth is fit for a crown and take an X-ray to confirm. If root canal therapy is needed, it will take place before the crown is placed on the tooth, as a crown cannot mask the discomfort of an infected or damaged pulp.<\/p>\r\n
The tooth will be shaped so that the crown fits securely over it and a temporary crown is placed to preserve the space while the permanent crown is being constructed. This is sometimes an adjustment for the patient, but most get used to a temporary crown quickly.<\/p>\r\n
The final step is fitting the permanent crown and adjusting the bite. This last step is critically important because it determines how well the crown will function. If the crown feels too high in your bite when you close your mouth, let your dentist know. It only takes a few minutes to make a small adjustment.<\/p>\r\n
After the placement, the tooth should feel sturdy. The most noticeable part about having a crown is that you become aware of it until you become less aware of it. As time goes on, you’ll hardly know it’s there.<\/p>\r\n
It may be sensitive, especially to cold things, for several days. The crowned tooth may also be tender if the bite feels out of whack. Call your dentist if you’re uncomfortable.<\/p>\r\n
\u2022 Chewing will start to feel normal again (after an adjustment or two) although you shouldn’t bite into super hard foods to test your crown<\/p>\r\n
\u2022 Pay close attention to cleaning along the gum line, particularly if you find that food tends to collect around the crown area. It may be a bit of a hassle, but it’s worth avoiding decay around the crown.<\/p>\r\n
Crowns on back teeth before and after photos really show off the value of a crown. The real change isn’t captured in a Before & After photo. It’s being able to eat without having to be careful not to bite down on the painful tooth. It’s forgetting that the tooth was ever an issue.<\/p>\r\n
And that’s why crowns on back teeth are so important. You don’t have to admire the front of the tooth – no one is going to look at your mouth when you’re out for dinner. But you need to be able to chew your food properly without a constant reminder that you had a tooth issue.<\/p>\r\n