Crowns
What Is a Dental Crown?
There are times when the crown of a tooth becomes structurally or aesthetically compromised. This can be due to large fillings, root canals, fractures, permanent discoloration, or tooth wear. In such cases, when the root is still sound and healthy, the portion of the tooth visible in the oral cavity can be covered with a fixed restoration known as a Dental Crown.
Dental Crown Procedure
Crowns, commonly known as caps, can be fabricated using metal, porcelain, or other hybrid materials such as Zirconia or Lithium Disilicate. Porcelain, Zirconia, and Lithium Disilicate are now commonly used because of their superior strength and esthetics.
The procedure involves altering the tooth in order to accommodate proper cementation of the dental crown. This is why anesthesia is administered at the site of surgery in order to ensure a painless, stress-free procedure for the patient. Once the tooth has been shaped to the proper size and contour an impression is taken to record fine details of the tooth and the area surrounding it. This impression is then used by the laboratory in the process of fabricating the new crown. The new crown is tried in and checked for accuracy regarding fit, bite, and color. Finally, the crown is cemented on the specific tooth.
Advantages of Opting for Dental Crowns
There are a number of advantages associated with having a structurally compromised tooth covered by a Dental Crown. Some of these include:
- Restoration of function
- Restoration of smile aesthetics
- Protection of the remaining structure of the natural tooth
- Preventing further damage to the tooth
- Preventing early tooth loss due to extraction
- Treatment of dental sensitivity associated with dentin exposure (such as in case of fractures and tooth wear)
So if there are teeth in your oral cavity that have been structurally or aesthetically compromised due to previous dental treatments or injuries, give us a call and book an appointment today! Saving the natural tooth is frequently the best treatment for you.