Can a Dental Crown Save Your Tooth?

A dental crown is often the best option to repair the affected area when a patient is dealing with severe tooth damage or decay. Dental crowns can also protect weak or brittle teeth, improve the patient's appearance, and correct many other dental issues. For many people, this type of treatment helps to both restore and protect the natural tooth. There are several options when it comes to crowns, and a dentist can offer guidance on the appropriate treatment plan for you.

Understanding the dental crown procedure

Dentists use crowns to treat numerous dental issues, enabling many people to restore the strength and function of their natural teeth. This common type of dental work is also straightforward, allowing some patients to leave with a permanent crown in a single appointment.

Candidates for crowns

It is usually necessary to use a dental crown when a cavity is too large to be filled with a traditional filling. However, some dentists may also recommend crowns for patients experiencing:

• A cracked tooth

• Teeth that are severely worn down or misshapen

• Protection and reinforcement after a root canal

• Chipped teeth

• Support for a nearby dental bridge

In all of these situations, the dentist must evaluate the roots and remaining tissue to ensure they are deemed healthy enough to remain in place, allowing the patient to keep their natural tooth.

In order for a dental professional to determine whether or not a patient is a candidate for dental crowns, they will need to examine the patient’s mouth and take X-rays if necessary. It is important to note that in some cases, it is too much of a risk to save the patient's natural tooth. This may be because of infection, severe tooth decay, traumatic injury, or a decline in overall oral health. In these circumstances, it may be necessary to extract the tooth and choose alternative treatment methods, such as bridges, implants, or partial dentures.

The treatment process

The process of placing a dental crown typically takes two appointments. The first appointment involves taking an impression or digital model of the patient’s mouth and creating a model of their teeth. Impressions are necessary to make the appropriate material for the patient’s unique case. The second appointment involves the actual placement of the crown. Before a dental crown is placed, the dentist treats the affected area by removing any decay and reshaping the tooth. Once the tooth is cleaned, the dental crown material is placed hardened. From there, the dentist will make any necessary adjustments to restore the patient’s smile.

Dental crown options

There are many choices available for patients in need of a crown. Options vary from one professional to another based on the available technology and typical products used.

Materials

Most often, dental crowns are made from metals, porcelain, ceramic or composite resin. These materials are designed to closely match the existing teeth' natural color. In some situations, crowns are reinforced with stainless steel, especially when used on molars. A dentist can offer guidance on the ideal material based on the location of the crown.

Traditional or same-day crowns

Recent technology enables some locations to offer same-day crowns. Digital scans of the patient's mouth are sent to an in-office milling machine, which creates the crown within just a few minutes so it can be placed in the same office visit. Traditional crowns require a few weeks for production at an offsite location. Patients who receive this option usually need a temporary crown until the finished product is complete.

Conclusion

The best time to have a dental crown is when you have a tooth that has been broken or damaged, and the damage is too significant for traditional filling materials to fix the underlying problem. Sometimes a dentist may be able to repair a patient’s tooth or teeth with fillings and other techniques, but if there are severe issues with how many teeth are missing due to decay or trauma, it is best to seek professional health from a dentist before trying anything else. In doing so, you can ensure you are receiving an effective course of action for your case, as they will be able to use technology that is not available to you, such as an X-ray machine.

At Lilburn Family Dentistry, we offer dental crowns as a treatment option for those who qualify. To learn if you are an ideal candidate for a dental crown, call our Lilburn office at (770) 800-0178 and schedule an appointment. To learn more about our services and process, visit us at https://www.lilburnfamilydentistry.com today. 

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