Despite the fact that our tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in our bodies, our teeth can still be damaged due to injury or tooth decay. When this happens, you should consult your dentist so that he or she can determine if the tooth can be saved and how much can be saved. A dental crown is a prosthetic cover that can both save your tooth while repairing it so that it can once again be used for biting and chewing while also restoring the appearance of your smile. Dr. Leonard Hess of Union County Center for Comprehensive Dentistry can create and place crowns for his patients for both medical and cosmetic purposes. While you have most likely heard of dental crowns, you may not understand how they work to save your damaged teeth.
How Do Dental Crowns Work?
Crowns are designed and made by dentists to resemble your existing tooth enamel. They will cover your damaged tooth from the chewing surface down to the gum line. At our Monroe, NC dental practice, Dr. Hess wants his patients to understand the treatment options available to them and their advantages. Although crowns can be made in a variety of materials, Dr. Hess prefers to work with porcelain due to its lifelike appearance and durability. While crowns made from composite resin may be cheaper to make, they do not last as long and may need to be replaced again in a few years.
Read on to learn about the benefits of dental crowns and how these prosthetics that are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth and simple to permanently attach can help save your teeth from damage and decay.
1. Crowns help relieve pain.
Dr. Hess often uses dental crowns to complete a restorative treatment, repairing damage to a tooth’s enamel or structure. If your teeth have suffered extensive decay, an infection of a tooth’s root, or injury to your tooth enamel such as a fracture, chip, or break, you may experience sporadic pain when you eat or drink. If the problem is severe enough, the feeling may persist. Once Dr. Hess addresses the underlying issue with your tooth with an appropriate treatment (filling, root canal, etc.), the remaining portion of the tooth may still be at risk of further damage. This can mean continuing discomfort and a risk of a reinfection. A dental crown can protect your tooth from further harm while also reducing sensitivity and eliminating pain.
2. Crowns are a simple procedure.
You might think that having a dental crown placed would be a complicated or intense procedure but it is actually minimally invasive and relatively simple to have performed. Once your enamel is cleaned and the damaged portions have been removed, Dr. Hess will shape your tooth so that it can securely hold a crown. Next, he will take a mold of your tooth from which your crown will be cast in porcelain. This process will usually take about two weeks and you will be given a temporary crown to help you eat normally in the meantime. When your new porcelain crown is ready, Dr. Hess will place it over your prepared tooth and it will be held in place with a strong bonding cement.
3. Crowns are a versatile treatment.
Dental crowns can be used by Dr. Hess to address a variety of dental conditions, including:
- After root canal therapy
- To protect a tooth with a large tooth cavity
- To repair a broken tooth or cracked tooth
- To improve the appearance of a crooked tooth or misshapen tooth
- To cover a tooth that is stained or discolored
- To close gaps between teeth
- To lengthen teeth or improve a “gummy smile”
- To address other restorative dentistry concerns
4. Crowns last many years.
Dr. Hess uses quality materials to create our patients’ dental crowns and places them with skilled precision. With conscientious care such as daily brushing and flossing, as well as routine examinations and cleanings at Union County Dentistry or your area dentist, your porcelain crown can last a lifetime.
Enjoy the Advantages of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns can help you restore and enhance your smile and Union County Dentistry would like to help you receive these benefits if you need them. Dr. Hess can design, fabricate and place a ceramic tooth crown in one day. If you’re in the Monroe, NC area, contact us online or call 704.240.5045 to find out more about these treatments or any others or to schedule a routine cleaning.