Why Do I Need a Dental Crown?
When you have severely cracked, damaged, or decayed teeth, you are at risk for developing even more dental concerns. The longer you wait to schedule a dental appointment, the higher risk is for losing your tooth. We suggest reporting any dental damages to your dentist as soon as you become aware of them. At Clinton Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we provide advanced solutions for complex dental concerns including extensive dental damages. Usually, we can cosmetically and functionally replace a damaged tooth using a dental crown. Dr. Tim Balzen is a general dentist that can fix your tooth with a dental crown in Clinton, NC.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a dental restoration that dentists use to restore a damaged or weak tooth. It will stabilize the tooth and improve its shape, size, and appearance. Sometimes called a cap, a crown will cover the entire tooth down to the gum line. Essentially, it will replace the entire crown portion of the natural tooth. Crowns are custom-made from dental impressions so they will be shaped like a natural tooth and blend in seamlessly with the surrounding teeth. They can be made from a variety of materials. Your dentist may suggest a dental crown to fix many types of tooth damage including:
- Broken or cracked tooth: a crown will cover the tooth to help restore form and function.
- Severely decayed tooth: when a simple dental filling is not enough, a crown can restore it structure and function.
- Tooth with a large dental filling: teeth with large fillings can weaken over time so your dentist may suggest a dental crown to add support and protection.
- After a root canal treatment: after a root canal, a tooth is vulnerable to further damage so your dentist will want to protect it and add support.
- Misshapen or discolored tooth: more of cosmetic dentistry use, a dental crown can covers a misshapen or stained and discolored tooth to improve its appearance.
Dental Crown Treatment in Clinton, NC
Our team provides restorative dentistry for patients that need to improve the function of their teeth. She has the training and experience to help patients of all ages treat their dental concerns, including complex concerns like extensively damaged teeth. Severely chipped, cracked, or decayed teeth cause a lot of problems with your smile. With dental crowns, our doctors may be able to save the underlying structure of your natural tooth while still replacing the exterior of the tooth.
What To Expect
The process of getting a dental crown usually involves two visits to the dentist. We will first consult with you to make sure a crown is the right treatment for your dental problem or concern. The dentist will take x-rays, review the cost, and answer any questions you have before starting the treatment.
Dental crowns require significant enamel removal to make space for the restoration. Your doctor will ensure you do not experience any pain or discomfort by utilizing a local anesthetic on and around your affected tooth. Once numbed, your doctor will begin sizing down the remaining external structure of the damaged or decayed tooth. It will be shaped down to a foundational core which will be used to support the dental crown.
Once the tooth preparation is complete, a temporary crown will be placed on your tooth until your permanent dental crown is complete. In a few weeks, we will call you back to our office for the permanent placement of your dental crown. Using dental cement, the dental crown will be firmly secured to the foundational core of your natural tooth, allowing you to cosmetically and functionally replace a severely damaged tooth without requiring a complete tooth extraction.
Dental Crowns FAQs
Review our frequently asked questions about dental crowns. If you have additional questions, please call our office for further assistance.
What are dental crowns made of?
A dental crown can be made from a variety of materials. The most popular is porcelain or ceramic because these materials can be color matched to blend in naturally with patients surrounding teeth. They are also biocompatible, which means they are safe for use in the mouth. You can also choose a metal alloy crown, such as gold, because it is long lasting and the most durable option. This is a popular choice for back teeth where they are needed for a harder bite force and chewing. There are also crowns that are made of a metal base with porcelain fused to the top layer. This offers both the strength of metal and the natural appearance of porcelain. The last choice is zirconia. This type of ceramic material is strong, durable, and often used on the back teeth.
What are the benefits of dental crowns?
A dental crown will help strengthen a tooth after it has been damaged. This will help prevent further damage to the tooth. To create a dental crown, we will take impression of your teeth. Your new restoration will be fabricated from these impression so it will look and function just like a natural tooth.
What else are dental crowns used for?
Dentists use dental crowns for various reasons. In addition to restoring a damaged tooth, a crown can also hold a dental bridge in place, cover a misshapen tooth, whiten a discolored tooth, support a tooth after a root canal, and be used to replace a single tooth with a dental implant. This versatile dental restoration has been used for many years in dentistry. It is a great tool to restore a tooth’s functionality and appearance.
How long does a dental crown last?
On average, a dental crown can last between five and fifteen years. The better you care for it, the longer the crown will last. Things you can do to extend the life of your dental restoration are avoiding chewing on hard objects such as ice, biting your fingernails, using your teeth to open packages, and wearing a mouthguard if you grind your teeth.
How many times can you replace a crown on a tooth?
As long as the crown is in good condition, you can replace it as many times as you choose. We can easily remove it in this situation and build a new one without hurting the underlying tooth structure.
How do dentists remove crowns?
The adhesive seal is softly broken by moving the crown to remove it. As the crown is removed, the remaining cement breaks down and releases. In general, it can be more difficult to remove definitively cast and cemented crowns.
Can a crown fall off?
There are a variety of reasons crowns may become loosened and eventually fall off. There may be an issue with the crown or itself. In some cases, issues with the tooth beneath the crown could result in it coming off. An injury or biting down on hard food are two examples of external events that might cause a crown to become loosened or break.
If you have recently suffered from dental damages, please schedule an appointment with Clinton Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. We will evaluate your dental damages and offer you a treatment plan that best meets your needs. Our team looks forward to helping you restore your smile in our Clinton, NC dentist office.