Part of the Wonderful World of Dental Crowns
When people hear the word “crown,” they think of anything from royal inaugurations to old nursery rhymes. When a dentist at the Placerville Dental Group thinks of a crown, they think about the best way to protect a tooth and maintain a bite and a smile. But what exactly is a dental crown, and in what situations could a crown benefit your tooth?
Defining Dental Crowns
Put simply, dental crowns are strong, durable covers that fit over a tooth to protect and strengthen it. A crown also restores the normal shape and function of a tooth. They are made from metal, ceramics, and porcelain. The type of material used often depends on the type of injury to the original tooth, the area of the damage on the tooth, and the location of the tooth needing attention. Granted, we want to keep our teeth healthy and intact — there’s nothing better than original teeth for biting, chewing and smiling. Yet since teeth cannot repair or restore themselves like living tissue, dental crowns step in when a tooth is compromised.
When Dental Crowns Come Into Play
A tooth — or multiple teeth — might get chipped, cracked, damaged, broken or dislodged due to active lifestyles, unforeseen circumstances, heavy wear, chewing on non-food items, bruxism, clenching, lip or tongue piercings, and severe dental decay. In other words, situations that might require a crown include:
- A cavity that is too large for a filling;
- A recent root canal treatment;
- Finishing a dental implant;
- Replacing a badly discolored tooth.
A damaged tooth typically needs a little work before the crown is applied. Your dentist prepares the outer structure of your tooth to support the crown. An impression or digital image of the prepared tooth forms a baseline for creating the crown, and then the tooth is covered with a temporary crown while the permanent one is custom-made in the lab (often taking less than two weeks). When you and your dentist are satisfied with the look and feel of the crown, it is cemented in place and your tooth is restored!
If Your Crown is Compromised
In the rare case that you dislodge or damage a crown, please let us take care of it for you. This is not a job for super glue! We want to take a close look in case there are underlying issues affecting the crown or the tooth. Of course, a proper routine of dental hygiene maintains both your teeth and your crown. Also, semi-annual visits to the Placerville Dental Group gives us the opportunity to inspect your crown and address any issues before they become severe or catastrophic.
If you would like further information on crowns, see our web page about them under the category “Restoration Dentistry.” You can also ask any questions of our staff by calling in to our office, or you can schedule an appointment online to discuss them with your dentist. When you hear the word “crown” at the Placerville Dental Group, you can rest assured we know exactly what we’re talking about!
0 Comments