Experiencing pain from a deep infection or damaging a tooth isn’t something you plan for. So, what do you do when you need relief and your smile restored? If the situation calls for it, our Mullins, SC, dentist may protect your vulnerable tooth with a dental crown.
Here’s what you need to know about dental crowns and when you should have one placed.
Just like a helmet on our heads, a crown serves as a similar protective “cap” for our teeth. It is tooth-shaped and placed to restore shape, size, strength, and overall appearance. We may recommend dental crown placement for a variety of reasons, such as when a cavity is too large for a tooth-colored filling.
There is nothing to be afraid of with the . We’ll start by examining the tooth in need of the crown. Next, we’ll file down and remove a part of the tooth’s outer layer so the incoming crown fits nicely.
We’ll then take 3D digital impressions of your teeth using a small hand-held scanner. Our dentists will review the impressions that were taken on his computer before he starts the process of designing your new crown. Thanks to CEREC® technology, we can have your crown designed, fabricated, and placed in one visit.
Learn More → How Same-Day Crowns Are Possible
If all looks well with the design, it will be sent to the milling unit inside our Mullins dental office. This machine will carve your new crown out of a strong ceramic block that closely matches your natural enamel color. Once it’s ready, we will double-check the size and shape of the crown before permanently cementing it to your tooth.
Deep tooth decay or infection should never be ignored as it can negatively affect the tooth’s inner nerve and pulp. Pulp is the soft tissue located beneath the white enamel and the subsequent hard layer, dentin. It contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.
Read More → I Have a Tooth Infection. What Are My Options?
When the nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, bacteria begins to spread inside of the pulp chamber. This can cause an infection or even an abscessed tooth. To eliminate bacteria from the and prevent reinfection, we will perform necessary treatment.
We’ll carefully remove the inflamed or infected pulp and clean the inside of the tooth before sealing it back up. Our dentists will finish restoring the tooth by placing a dental crown on top. The crown will prevent the tooth from breaking and give it strength.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root embedded into the jawbone where there is a tooth missing. The implant itself is a titanium post that closely resembles a screw. For complete restoration, a crown is placed on top of the implant to give you a permanent fixture that looks and operates like a natural tooth.
The combination of a dental implant paired with a crown provides patients suffering from tooth loss with a slip-free alternative to dentures. Dental implants also preserve existing teeth, restore the ability to chew, and prevent jawbone deterioration.
Facial trauma, hard foods, and excessive grinding or clenching can all cause tooth injury. A broken or weakened tooth needs proper protection or it is at risk for further complications. This is where a dental crown comes in. Our dentists will take impressions, create a crown in the office, and cement it into place for a healthy smile.
Another solution for missing teeth is a dental bridge. Made up of a false tooth held in place by two dental crowns, a bridge literally “bridges” a gap left behind by a missing tooth. It also prevents existing teeth from drifting out of position and distributes the forces in your bite properly.
Our dentists will cement the two dental crowns used onto each of the abutment, or adjacent, teeth that support the bridge. The result is a seamless smile that no longer suffers from the difficulties that missing teeth bring.
No matter if they’re needed to protect a vulnerable tooth or complete an implant, dental crowns deliver renewed strength, shape, and appearance. Our same-day crown dentists in Mullins, SC, can thoroughly examine your teeth and inform you on whether you need one placed. Call Blevins Dentistry today at (843) 561-4039 or request an appointment online.
This blog post has been updated.
We Can’t Wait to Help You Create Your Dream Smile!