How a Crown Can Save Your Tooth

by | Feb 16, 2019 | Uncategorized

If you are an adult trying to save a broken tooth or a child with a damaged tooth caused by cavities, a dental crown can offer the solution you need. The primary purpose of a dental crown is to shield, support and repair a tooth.

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that covers the tooth to restore its shape, size and strength and make it look better. Once in position, the crown entirely covers the visible part of the tooth above the gum line. All-ceramic crowns are the most popular type of crown. Examples of these dental crowns include emax, zirconia and lava, which are famous for their translucent look. Due to their transparency, these dental crowns will be identical to the natural teeth so that it will not be apparent that you have a crown on your tooth. The all-ceramic crowns are also unique because they do not have a metal foundation, making them suitable for front row teeth.

Functions of a dental crown

Dental crowns are usually used to:

  • Cover and fortify a tooth with a large filling
  • Guard a weak tooth against further damage
  • Restore a fractured tooth or deteriorated tooth
  • Cover a dental implant
  • Hold a dental bridge firmly in place
  • Enhance the tooth’s appearance

Dental crowns are also usable on baby teeth to protect a decaying tooth that is not fit for a filling or help a child who is susceptible to dental cavities.

Preparing the tooth for a dental crown

Like almost all dental procedures, placing a dental crown usually involves multiple steps. Luckily, the procedure for placing the dental crown is very easy and straightforward. When you visit for your first appointment, the dentist will review the issues you are dealing with and the results you hope for after treatment. Multiple x-ray scans might be needed to check the root of the tooth and the surrounding bone.

If the tooth has severely decayed or there is a chance that the pulp of the tooth might be injured or infected, a root canal procedure might be necessary before placing the crown. Before treatment continues on the tooth, the dentist will ensure that you are at complete ease by using a local anesthetic and any other available comfort options, if required. The anesthetic will render your tooth and gum tissues numb so that you do not feel anything.

After the area is numb, the tooth will be prepared by scraping parts of the enamel on the sides and chewing surfaces to ensure the crown fits snugly on the tooth. If necessary, a filling material may be used to reinforce the tooth to help it support the crown. After reshaping the tooth, the dentist will make a mold or take scans of the tooth to make a crown. The mold or scans will be forwarded to a dental lab, where a unique crown will be manufactured and color-matched to the natural teeth.

Before the permanent crown is ready, you will get a temporary crown to protect your teeth. Once the crown is available, you will need to visit the dental office for your final appointment. To fix the permanent crown firmly into place and ensure everything looks normal, a dental cement will be used to attach the crown.

Request an appointment here: https://www.smtfamilydental.com or call South Mountain Family Dental at (602) 438-9245 for an appointment in our Tempe office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges.

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