At Sun Smile Dentistry in Port Charlotte, FL, our goal involves keeping your smile healthy and beautiful. Sometimes, this means recommending a dental crown as the best solution for various dental issues. Dental crowns, also known as caps, cover and protect a tooth. They could restore its shape, size, and strength and improve its appearance. Below, we explore several reasons your dentist might recommend a dental crown.
Reasons for Recommending a Dental Crown
Tooth Decay and Cavities
One primary reason for a dental crown involves significant tooth decay. When cavities or decay weaken a tooth, a crown could provide the necessary protection. Your dentist at Sun Smile Dentistry will often suggest a dental crown to restore a decayed tooth to its original function and appearance. This preventive measure stops the decay from worsening, which could lead to more serious dental issues.
Chipped or Damaged Teeth
Another reason for a crown involves chipped or damaged teeth. Everyday activities, such as chewing hard foods or experiencing a traumatic injury, can result in a chipped tooth. A dental crown often strengthens the damaged tooth, preserving its integrity. By reinforcing the damaged tooth, your dentist helps prevent further damage and potential tooth loss. The dental crown acts as a barrier, protecting the damaged area from further harm.
After a Root Canal Procedure
When you undergo a root canal procedure, your dentist removes the infected or damaged pulp from inside your tooth. This process leaves the tooth hollow and potentially weak. To add strength and restore its functionality, your dentist will often recommend placing a crown over the treated tooth. This step could not only strengthen the tooth but also help it blend seamlessly with the rest of your smile.
The Procedure for Getting a Crown
Receiving a dental crown at Sun Smile Dentistry involves several steps, ensuring a precise and comfortable fit.
Examination and Diagnosis
Your dentist begins with a thorough examination and diagnosis. During this stage, we evaluate the affected tooth and discuss the best treatment options. This step involves X-rays and other diagnostic tools to ensure an accurate assessment.
Tooth Preparation
Next, we prepare the tooth for the crown. This process starts with administering local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. Your dentist then shapes the tooth by removing a portion of its outer layer. This preparation creates space for the crown to fit over the tooth snugly.
Impressions and Temporary Crown Placement
After shaping the tooth, we take impressions to create a model for your permanent crown. While we craft the permanent crown, we place a temporary crown to protect the prepared tooth. This temporary crown allows you to maintain normal function and appearance during the waiting period.
Permanent Crown Placement
Once your permanent crown is ready, you return to Sun Smile Dentistry for fitting. Your dentist removes the temporary crown and positions the permanent one. After ensuring a precise fit and proper bite alignment, we secure the crown with dental cement.
At Sun Smile Dentistry in Port Charlotte, FL, we focus on providing the best dental care solutions, including the recommendation and placement of dental crowns. By understanding the reasons for a dental crown and following proper aftercare, you could enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile for years to come.