Why Get a Dental Crown?
There are several applications for dental crowns:| • | The integrity of the tooth is compromised. The crown holds it together and prevents it from breaking. |
| • | You have a cracked, chipped, broken or aesthetically unpleasing tooth. |
| • | Your tooth is discolored. |
| • | You had a root canal. |
| • | You need a bridge. Crowns hold the bridge in place by anchoring onto surrounding teeth. |
| • | You have dental implants. The crown covers the abutment. |
Your First Visit
Upon your first visit, your dentist will examine the tooth and possibly take some X-rays. This will allow him to check the roots of the tooth as well as the supporting bone to make sure that a crown is the best course of action.
After the exam, you will receive a local anesthetic. Your dentist needs to file down your tooth in order to make room for the crown to fit properly over it. When finished, an impression of the tooth is taken. This impression is sent off to a lab, along with the color that most closely matches the rest of your natural teeth, in order to create your custom crown.
It usually takes up to two weeks to for your permanent crown to be made. Instead of sending you home with a filed down tooth, your dentist will give you a temporary crown to hold the space and prevent bacteria from getting in and causing infection.
The Final Visit
When your permanent crown is ready, you will return to your dentist's office in order to have it placed. The temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is placed to check for fit and color match. If it is comfortable and looks good, you will receive another local anesthetic and the crown will be cemented in place, providing you with a permanent fixture that looks and acts like a natural tooth.
If you have a weak or damaged tooth, contact our office to find out if a dental crown is right for you.
