Has your Montreal dentist clinic suggested that you need a crown to fix a decayed or damaged tooth? If so, you might be wondering how the process works. Is there anything you should know about the procedure before it begins? Have you thought about questions you should ask your dentist? If you’ve done any research online, you might have come across discrepancies regarding where the gingival margin of a crown should be placed.
With this in mind, our team at Retter Dental Care decided we should take a deep dive into gingival margins and help our patients understand how crowns work and why we place them where we do.
What is a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns, sometimes called “caps”, are pieces of porcelain or ceramic that fit over the existing parts of a tooth to make it look and feel like natural enamel. Dental patients usually need a crown if a tooth has suffered severe damage or decay that can’t be remedied with fillings or bonding material. Crowns are also necessary to complete root canal therapy treatments.
The crown is a white-ish material that’s molded and shaped such that it looks like a real tooth. Once it’s been formed, your dentist will place it atop the remaining portion of tooth or the post anchor that was installed during a root canal procedure. The crown will then sit atop the gumline.
Where Should the Gingival Margin of a Crown be Placed?
The margins for crowns should be placed supragingivally—that is to say, they should be placed at or above the gum line. If they’re placed slightly below the gumline, they shouldn’t go more than 0.5mm beneath the surface. Supregingival margins help protect patients from pain, discomfort, and unknown problems that may occur down the road.
Subgingival margins (or crowns that are placed more than 0.5mm below the gum line) are known to cause issues for patients, including gum irritation and bleeding.
With that being said, some patients may do best with subgingival margins, particularly if they’re known to consume a lot of sweets, have acid reflux, battle with eating disorders, have dry mouth, or have poor brushing techniques.
Your dentist will evaluate your unique situation and decide which type of crown fitting is best for you.
If you’re looking for a Montreal dentist clinic, you’ve come to the right place. Our team at Retter Dental Care is happily accepting patients, and we’re excited to meet you. Schedule your first visit with us today!
