If you need minor to moderate dental work completed on your molars but can't tolerate needles, injections or extensive drilling, you might wonder if there are other alternatives to fix your teeth without getting traditional dental crowns placed. Dental providers may offer a crown placement technique called strip crowns to adults who need to repair their teeth. Strip crowns aren't true crowns but shells that help create them. Here are more things to know about strip crowns.
How and Why Do Dentists Use Strip Crowns?
Dental crowns are excellent options when it comes to repairing teeth damaged by tooth decay or infection. Crowns also cover, protect, or shield teeth repaired with root canal treatments. But adults who don't need root canal treatment or extensive work done on their front or back teeth may not need or want traditional crowns placed. In this case, a dentist may offer strip crowns.
Strip crowns are special applications, or temporary shells, used in pediatric dentistry to prevent secondary tooth decay or treat current tooth decay. Children who can't tolerate long or stressful dental visits also benefit from the procedure. Adults may qualify for the technique if they have minor to moderate decay in their front or back teeth. If the decay extends to the pulp tissues of your teeth, you may not qualify for dental crowns placed with the strip crown technique.
Strip crowns are shells made from a pliable but firm, translucent material. To create dental crowns, dentists place the shells over your natural crowns, then fill them with composite, a white substance that mimics the natural appearance of tooth enamel. Some dentists use other white materials as substitutions for composite.
In addition, dentists shape and sculpt the shells with small dental tools called burs, then cure the shells with a special light. After the composite material hardens, dentists gently peel away the strip crown material to reveal new, sculptured dental crowns.
How Do You Maintain Your New Crowns After Placement?
Caring for your new crowns isn't difficult. Brushing your teeth up to three times a day and flossing at least once a day can help keep your new crowns healthy. You should also avoid eating and drinking items that stain your teeth, including blueberries and dark coffee products.
Avoid biting into very hard foods or chewing on hard items to keep your new crowns safe. Although dental crown material is durable and can last for a long time, it can crack when exposed to excessive stress and pressure. If you have concerns about your diet, consult with a dental provider for more information.
To find out more about strip crowns and whether or not they can work for you, speak to a dentist at a clinic like Willowdaile Family Dentistry today.
