Instances That Call For a Dental Crown
When something goes wrong with a tooth, it’s only natural to think about next steps. Would a dental filling suffice or does the damage require a more robust solution? If your tooth is vulnerable enough, our Portage dentist may recommend it be protected with a crown.
Here are a few instances where you may need a dental crown placed.
What Is the Purpose of a Crown?
Just like a helmet on our heads, a crown serves as a similar protective “cap” for our teeth. It is tooth-shaped and placed over a damaged tooth to restore shape, size, strength, and overall appearance. Dr. Paul may place a dental crown for a variety of reasons, such as when a cavity is too large for a filling.
What to Expect for the Procedure
There is nothing to be afraid of with the . We’ll start by examining the tooth in need of the crown and take X-rays. Next, Dr. Paul will file down and remove a part of the tooth’s outer layer. An impression is then made of the trimmed down tooth and the surrounding teeth. We’ll place a temporary crown until the permanent version is back from the dental lab.
Once the crown has been created, we will ask that you return for a second visit to our Portage dental office to have it properly cemented onto your tooth.
You May Need a Dental Crown if You’ve Had:
1. Root Canal Treatment
Deep tooth decay or infection should never be ignored as it can negatively affect the tooth’s inner nerve and pulp. is the soft tissue located beneath the white enamel and the subsequent hard layer, dentin. It contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.
When the nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, bacteria begins to spread inside of the pulp chamber. This can cause an infection or even an abscessed tooth. To eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal and prevent reinfection, Dr. Paul will perform necessary treatment.
We’ll carefully remove the inflamed or infected pulp and clean the inside of the tooth before sealing it back up. Dr. Paul will finish restoring the tooth by placing a dental crown on top. The crown will prevent the tooth from breaking and give it strength.
2. A Dental Implant
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root surgically embedded into the jawbone where there is a tooth missing. The implant itself is a titanium post that closely resembles a screw. For complete restoration, a crown is placed on top of the implant to give you a permanent fixture that looks and operates like a natural tooth.
The combination of a dental implant paired with a crown provides patients suffering from tooth loss with a slip-free alternative to dentures. Dental implants also preserve existing teeth, restore the ability to chew, and prevent jawbone deterioration.
3. A Broken or Weakened Tooth
Facial trauma, hard foods, and excessive grinding or clenching can all cause tooth injury. A broken or weakened tooth needs proper protection or it is at risk for further complications. This is where a dental crown comes in. Dr. Paul will take impressions, have a dental crown created, and cement it into place for a healthy smile.
4. A Dental Bridge
Another solution for missing teeth is a dental bridge. Made up of a false tooth held in place by two dental crowns, a bridge literally “bridges” a gap left behind by a missing tooth. It also prevents existing teeth from drifting out of position and distributes the forces in your bite properly.
Dr. Paul will cement the two dental crowns used onto each of the abutment, or adjacent, teeth that support the bridge. The result is a seamless smile that no longer suffers from the difficulties that missing teeth bring.
Talk With Dr. Paul Today
Dental crowns deliver renewed strength, shape, and appearance to vulnerable teeth. To determine if you need a crown placed, our dentist in Portage, MI, can conduct an oral examination. Call Courtside Dental today at (269) 327-1011 to request an appointment.
This blog has been updated.