Dental Crowns are quite common, but despite this, many people don’t know what a crown is or why a dentist would recommend it. A crown is a cap to cover a damaged tooth, and it can extend the tooth’s life for years.
In addition to repair, a dental crown may be used for cosmetic dentistry. A tooth can be restored to its original size and shape improving the appearance of the damaged tooth. Here at Sky Dental, Arizona’s highly rated cosmetic dentists can use their skills to install dental crowns for multiple reasons.
Why Do Dental Patients Need a Crown?
Improved Appearance – Crowns can be used to improve teeth that are misshapen, discolored or have large spaces in between. The procedure is a conservative, minimally invasive way to improve the appearance of your teeth giving your more confidence in your smile.
Root Canals – A root canal hollows out your tooth leaving the shell of the tooth weakened. A crown becomes a necessary treatment to strengthen the tooth preventing future damage and breakage.
Worn Teeth – Excessive wear and tear on your teeth can lead to the need for a dental crown. This can happen when you grind your teeth causing them to become shorter or have an acidic diet or reflux leading to erosion of your teeth as acid wears away the enamel. At Sky Dental, we can use crowns to restore your teeth protecting them from further damage.
Cavities – When a cavity covers half a tooth, a crown may be essential because the tooth is weak and open to breaking. In addition, large older fillings may need to be replaced by a crown when there is little of the original tooth remaining or it begins to fracture.
Prevention – Dental crowns may be recommended as a preventative treatment for teeth that may be weak, damaged or at risk for breaking. This corrects the issue before too much damage is incurred possibly resulting in a root canal or pulling the tooth.
Dental Crown Procedure Facts
The first step is your dentist administering a local anesthetic in order to prevent pain during the treatment. If a filling is necessary to shore up the tooth, it will be completed next.
When the tooth is ready, the dentist will make an impression of the tooth to be used for the creation of the crown. A shade guide will be used to make sure the crown matches the natural color of your teeth as closely as possible. Next, your dentist will shave down the tooth making room for the crown. Before leaving, a temporary crown will be placed on your tooth allowing you to eat and speak normally until the permanent crown is installed.
The temporary crown will be replaced with a permanent one a few weeks after your initial appointment. This crown which is made to match your teeth will be held in place by a cement or dental glue. This appointment is quick and painless lasting only a few minutes. A short video from mouthhealthy.org and the American Dental Association (ADA) displays the basics of how getting a crown works.
Caring For Your New Crowns After Your Appointment
It is essential to treat the permanent crown as you do your natural teeth. Good Oral Hygiene can only be accomplished by thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth on a regular basis. This is the key oral health leading to gums and teeth which are healthy throughout the course of your life.
Keeping your six month routine check up at the dentist is your best preventive measure allowing the hygienist to conduct a thorough cleaning after which your dentist will be on the lookout for any possible problems like cavities, decay or gum disease. It has been proven your oral health is closely tied to your overall health and should be taken very seriously.
Contact Us
At Sky Dental, we look forward to hearing from you as you schedule your check-ups. If you have any issues with your teeth and feel that a crown or another procedure may be a good option for keeping your teeth healthy, please go ahead and make an appointment to be evaluated.