Severely damaged teeth may not need to be extracted. Dental crowns are useful for rescuing teeth that have been damaged or have been compromised by decay or disease. A crown can be used when not enough original tooth material remains to successfully hold a filling in place. A crown may also come in handy to cover a tooth that has been cracked, has had a root canal or has a great deal of decay. Crowns are also useful for teeth that are misshapen, or discolored, and can be used to hold a bridge in place. They can be made of different materials including porcelain and metal or they can also be ceramic.
To place a crown, the dentist may need to build up a foundation on your tooth if the damage or decay is severe. Or, he may need to use a drill to remove the enamel of tooth to reveal the dentin beneath. An impression of your tooth will be made, which will include the surrounding teeth. That impression will be sent to a dental lab, which will create your permanent crown. You will be given a temporary crown to wear while your permanent crown is crafted. The permanent crown will be secured with dental cement.
You shouldn’t feel any pain or discomfort, but if you do, your crown will need to be adjusted. You will need to continue to brush and floss just as you always have, since the crown will be vulnerable to gum disease, and decay can reach the tooth at the gumline.
If you have a tooth that is need of attention and you would like see if a crown is right for you, our dentist Dr. David Sun will be happy to see you. If you live in the Bryan, Texas, area and would like to make an appointment at MajorSmiles, call 979-776-6600 today. We look forward to seeing you soon!