When a patient’s teeth have been damaged by decay or injury, it’s preferable to take measures to save the biological tooth rather than extract it and replace it with a prosthetic. Dental crowns can help patients and dentists achieve this goal.
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that slide over the natural tooth. They restore the tooth’s appearance and can offer a level of protection to teeth that might be susceptible to breakage. They can also provide support to a tooth that requires a large filling and has little remaining biological tooth material. Crowns are particularly valuable in helping to make a tooth stronger following root canal therapy.
Dental crowns may also be used for solely cosmetic reasons, such as adjusting the proportions of an undersized tooth or to conceal a deep stain.
These restorations can be made of a number of different materials, and they can be designed to closely match the shade of a patient’s biological tooth.
If your dentist has recommended a dental crown to repair some sort of damage, the tooth will first be prepared for the crown to be placed. This typically entails removing a thin layer of enamel from the tooth to make room for the crown. A local anesthetic is used for greater patient comfort. After the tooth has been prepped, the patient will have impressions of the tooth taken so that the crown can be crafted.
While waiting for the permanent crown, which can take 2-3 weeks for a dental lab to finalize, the patient can choose to wear a temporary one. You may need to take certain steps to protect this temporary crown, and a dental professional will give you more specific instructions.
When the crown is ready, the patient returns to the dental office to have the crown permanently bonded to the tooth.
Dental crowns are beneficial to patients who hope to preserve their natural teeth despite significant damage. Talk to our team at North Shore Restorative & Implant Dentistry about this dental treatment if you are hoping to save a decayed or otherwise compromised tooth. Call 516-484-6394 to schedule your visit.
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