Your smile deserves the royal treatment — and after significant tooth decay or damage, what could be more fitting than a dental crown? This common restorative procedure provides renewed strength and stability for a problem tooth located anywhere in the mouth. Dr. Erin Prach explains the what, when, and how of dental crowns in Casper in this week’s blog post.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown, sometimes referred to as a cap, is a thin, tooth-shaped restoration that completely covers a damaged tooth, reaching all the way down to the gum line. Dental crowns can be made from a variety of materials depending on the location of the tooth and patient preference. Porcelain, porcelain fused-to-metal, gold, and metal alloys are all options. With proper care and maintenance, a dental crown can last for many years.
When Do I Need a Dental Crown?
You need a dental crown if there is not enough healthy structure to place a filling, inlay, or onlay. A crown can also repair teeth after serious injury.
Some of the most common situations requiring a dental crown include…
- Holding together a broken tooth
- Restoring strength to a weak or worn tooth
- Repairing a severely decayed tooth
- Completing a root canal procedure
- Restoring a single dental implant
- Making significant cosmetic improvements to front teeth
How Are Dental Crowns Placed?
If you need a dental crown, you can expect the procedure to take place over the course of two or three weeks. We will schedule two appointments at our office. The first one is dedicated to treatment planning and preparation of the affected tooth. Dr. Prach will reshape your tooth, making the base wider than the top, to ensure there is plenty of room for the crown to fit around it. We will then take impressions and X-rays of the tooth and those that surround it. This detailed information is sent off to our dental lab, your crown is created by an expert technician according to the specifics of your teeth. You wear a temporary crown in the time between visits.
After the permanent restoration has been sent back to us, you come into our office for your second visit. Dr. Prach removes the temporary and checks to make sure the new one fits, feels, and functions just like it should before bonding it securely on top of the tooth.
Caring for a Dental Crown
After we have placed your crown, you can enjoy renewed strength and stability for decades to come with proper oral hygiene. Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, and floss daily. Concentrate on the area at the base of the crown to prevent the bacteria buildup that causes gum disease. Visit your dentist every six months so we can check in on the strength and stability of your crown to ensure it stays strong and functioning properly.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
If you have a severely damaged or aching tooth, a filling just won’t do. Talk to your dentist in Casper about your options in restorative dentistry! Contact us to schedule an appointment today.