Sometimes the inevitable happens. Teeth can become broken, chipped, or decayed. The breakdown of a tooth can damage our smile among other things. When a tooth becomes damaged or decayed, the most common fix is a dental filling. Yet, sometimes, the damage is beyond what a traditional dental filling alone can correct. It’s in these cases times that we must rely on other dental restoration methods such as crowns.
A dental crown can restore the function, shape, and strength of a damaged tooth. While a dental crown is commonly used to restore a damaged tooth, it has several other uses as well.
The most common use of a dental crown is to protect a tooth weakened by damage or decay. Large cavities sometimes happen if a cavity goes unchecked for too long and the mouth bacteria continue to drill through the tooth enamel. The size of the cavity can leave the tooth’s integrity in question. Sometimes there’s not enough tooth structure left from the decay removal to hold a filling alone, but adding a crown can fix that.
Contact sports and other high risk activities can leave your smile open to injuries. Sometimes, an accident is simply an accident. A broken tooth also needs a crown to regain strength and proper function.
Other types of dental restorations, such as a dental implant or a bridge use a crown to aid them. A dental implant is a replacement tooth root capped with a crown. A bridge holds replacement teeth in place with the use of a crown over the abutting teeth on each side.
Finally, teeth that are misshapen or severely stained may need a crown. The crown serves as a cosmetic correction to restore your beautiful smile.
If you are considering a dental crown, give Ace Dental in Roseville a call. Dr. Karanvir Sibia, DDS, and our friendly staff can walk you through the process and help you decide if a crown is right for you.
Once Dr. Sibia determines that you need a crown, he will prepare the tooth for receiving the crown. If there is nerve damage in the tooth, you may first need a root canal to remove it along with any decay. The tooth will also need a size reduction through the removal of a portion of tooth enamel. This ensures that the crown will fit. A root canal is usually done under local anesthetic and sometimes IV sedation. A crown adjustment, if done separately from a root canal may also be under local anesthetic to ensure your comfort. Once the tooth has been prepared, the dentist will take an impression of your tooth to send to the lab.
Dr. Sibia will fill the root canaled tooth, and place a temporary crown to protect your tooth while you wait for your permanent crown. A second visit is necessary once the permanent crown is ready. The dentist will remove the temporary crown and make any adjustments needed, then cement your new crown in place.
Crowns are made from a variety of materials to suit your budget, taste, and dental needs, such as:
A consultation with Dr. Sibia can help you determine which type of crown will work best for your dental situation.
Crowns are strong and durable, some more so than others. Thus, they can last between five and 15 years or more, depending on:
Caring for your dental crown is easy. Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice daily to remove plaque and wash away bacteria. Floss daily using an in and out motion, rather than lifting the floss between teeth. Plaque and debris removal is essential. Decay can still affect a crowned tooth if proper oral hygiene is not maintained. Regular dental checkups can ensure your oral health is in tip top shape. Avoid sticky or chewy foods, or chomping down on hard objects that can damage your crown.
Your smile is important to us. If you are considering getting a dental crown in Roseville, look no further than Ace Dental. Give us a call today at (916)-772-0111 to schedule your consultation. Dr. Sibia can help you determine which type of crown is right for you.
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