If one of your teeth has sustained damage or has decayed to the point that it causes you pain or threatens your oral health, a dental crown may be your best solution. If you don’t already know, a dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over the affected tooth, covering it completely and thus protecting it.
Additional reasons a dental crown may be needed include:
- To support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t a lot of tooth left
- To cover a dental implant
- To hold a dental bridge in place
- To enhance your smile by covering cracked or crooked teeth
- And much more!
The Dental Crown Process
The dental crown process typically takes multiple visits to the dentist.
- First Visit: Your first visit to the dentist will consist of an examination and preparation for your dental crown. The dentist will first take several X-rays to ensure the tooth’s roots and the surrounding bone is strong enough to justify a dental crown. If your dentist believes you are a good candidate for a dental crown, he/she will then file down the tooth along the chewing surface and sides to make room for the crown. Once the tooth is filed, the dentists will make an impression of the tooth, as well as the teeth above and below to ensure the dental crown does not affect your bite. These impressions are sent to a dental lab where the crown will be manufactured. You will then receive a temporary crown until yours is ready.
- Second Visit: During your second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and fit the permanent crown. If everything looks good, he/she will permanently cement the new crown in place.
- Improved Smile!
Dental Crowns and other Dental Work from your Annapolis, Maryland Dentist
At Annapolis Dental Care, the dental crown process, as we described above, requires multiple visits as we make impressions of your teeth and use them to shape crowns that look and feel just like them. But in the end you have your full smile back and the ability to speak and eat the way you always have.
If you have any questions about Dental Crowns and Dental Care, or if you wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Annapolis Dental Care by calling (410) 267-0766 or visit AnnapolisDentalCare.com today!
Dr. Steckler’s philosophy is to give patients individualized attention and to make their experiences as comfortable as possible.
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Source: Dental Crowns WebMD