Things can happen to your teeth. You may sustain a trauma to your mouth that results in a severely damaged tooth. You may have a cavity that has affected a large part of your tooth, repeated dental work on a tooth. Or a large filling may have made your tooth unstable.
In such cases, your dentist may suggest that you have a crown placed over your tooth. Not only can a crown hold a damaged tooth together, it can also be used to improve the look of your smile by covering discolored teeth or teeth that are not shaped correctly. Crowns may be made of a number of materials, including combinations of materials. If you need a crown, your dentist will recommend the right material for you.
First, your dentist will determine if you need a root canal or if the foundation of your tooth needs to be increased in order to hold the crown in place. Once any reparative work has been done, the dentist will file down the tooth so that there is room for the crown to be set in place. An impression will be made of the tooth, along with the other teeth in the immediate area in order to make sure that the new crown will not only fit over your tooth, but will match your bite. The dentist will give you a temporary crown and send the impressions to a dental lab where your permanent crown will be created. When the new crown is ready, it will be placed over the tooth and secured with dental cement.
Although the crown covers your tooth, it is still vulnerable to decay at the gumline, so you should brush twice a day and floss at least once a day. With proper brushing and flossing, your crown should last approximately seven years. Your dentist will examine your crown during your visits to make sure that it is staying in place, and does not need to be adjusted to replaced. Depending on the material, your crown can be chipped. If you notice any damage to your crown, you should contact your dentist.
If you have a tooth that has been giving you problems, or if you would like to talk about tooth-restoration options, our dentist, Dr. Michael Ling will be happy to see you. To make an appointment at Ling Family Dentistry in Blaine, Minnesota, call 763-784-1993 today!