When Would Dental Crowns Be Needed?

When Would Dental Crowns Be Needed?

Oct 05, 2017

A Dental Crowns In Braes Timbers Houston, TX is a tooth like “cap” that is put over a tooth. The crown restores the tooth’s appearance and size, durability, and presentation. When cemented into place, the crowns cover the visible portion of the tooth. Dental crowns will be necessary for the following conditions:

  • Protecting a weak tooth from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth.
  • Restore broken or severely worn down teeth.
  • Support and cover a tooth with a large filling without much tooth structure remaining.
  • Holding a dental bridge in place.
  • Covering misshapen or severely discoloured teeth.
  • Cover a dental implant.
  • Cover a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment.

The Steps Involved in Preparing the Tooth for a Crown

Patients will be required to make two visits to the dentist in Houston for the crowns they need. During the first visit, the dentist in 77074 will examine the tooth by taking x-rays of the bone around it and prepare it. The dentist may suggest a root canal treatment if any decay is found to indicate the risks of an infection.

To make sufficient room for the dental cap, the tooth receiving it will be filed on the top and sides. The amount of tooth filed away will be determined by the type of crown selected. All-metal crowns do not need much of the tooth structure to be removed as they are thin. However, all-porcelain crowns will need the tooth filed down extensively before the teeth Caps can be placed. If tooth decay or damage is causing too much of the tooth to be missing, a filling material is used to buildup sufficient tooth structure for the crown to be effective.

After reshaping the tooth, an impression of the tooth that will receive a crown will be made along with the tooth above and below. This is a requirement to ensure the crown will not affect the bite of the patient. The impressions are displaced to the dental laboratory for making the crowns and are usually returned to the dentist’s office in approximately 2 to 3 weeks. During the initial visit, the dentist will also prepare a temporary crown to protect and cover the prepared tooth until the permanent crowns are ready.

The permanent crowns will be placed during the second visit. The temporary crowns will be removed, and the fit and colour of the permanent crown will be checked. After confirming everything is okay, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the tooth, and the new crown cemented permanently in place.

Caring for Dental Crowns

A tooth with a crown does not need any special care, but the underlying tooth needs to be protected from decay and gum disease. Patients must continue to follow good oral hygiene practices, including brushing their teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day. This should avoid biting on hard surfaces and foods, especially if they have porcelain crowns on their teeth. Doing so can lead to cracking of the porcelain sending the patient in search of repairs or new crowns to replace the damaged crown in their mouth. It must be understood that crowns are considered a cosmetic procedure, and therefore insurance companies do not offer any coverage for them.

Patients looking forward to having dental crowns to hide imperfections with their teeth are recommended to search for an experienced dental care clinic like Mi Casa Dental.

Click to listen highlighted text!