Have you ever wondered why a dentist recommends a dental crown in some cases when a simple filling is adequate in others? And what would happen if you simply leave a damaged tooth without getting any dental treatment? If you’ve been told you need a dental crown in Greenwood, it’s common to have questions like this. In this blog, you’ll learn more about why it’s so important to repair badly damaged teeth with crowns, and also what the procedure is like. Learn more below!
Why Would a Dental Crown Be Necessary?
Your teeth undergo a huge amount of chewing force and pressure every single day. To withstand this pressure and allow you to eat your favorite foods without pain, they must be structurally sound and strong.
A dental crown is a type of restoration that completely covers a tooth to restore its size, shape, and strength. Here are a couple of different scenarios where a dental crown may be necessary to repair a weak or damaged tooth:
- Cavities and fractures – When a tooth is damaged by a cavity, fracture or other injury, a simple filling can often repair it – if the damage is small. But if the tooth has a severe cavity or large fracture, there may not be enough of the tooth left to support a filling.
- Multiple fillings – Each time a tooth gets a filling, it loses a little bit of its original strength. In fact, you can compare a damaged tooth to a car that’s been wrecked. It can be repaired, but it’s never quite the same! One wreck too many, and it will need a total overhaul or replacement. At some point, if a tooth has had multiple fillings over the years and needs another repair, a dental crown is usually recommended.
What Is the Procedure Like?
Traditional dental crowns typically require two appointments. However, new technology called CEREC allows a custom-made crown to be done in just one visit.
Here’s what you can expect when getting a CEREC same-day crown:
- After making sure that you’re fully numb and comfortable, your dentist will remove any damaged tooth structure and reduce your tooth in size to prepare it for the crown.
- Next, your tooth’s size, shape and proportions are digitally scanned, which is not only easier than traditional impressions, but more accurate as well.
- A special milling machine uses the digital scan to create a permanent, ceramic crown, which is then cemented into place. The whole appointment usually takes two hours or less.
Teeth are incredibly valuable, so it’s worth every effort to save them. Dental crowns are a great way to restore damaged teeth that might otherwise be lost so you can enjoy great oral health for a lifetime!
About the Author
Dr. Abbie Coleman is a family dentist in Greenwood. She is a graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina, and also completed a two year residency at the Dental College of Georgia. This experience helped her hone her clinical skills so she can provide outstanding restorative care, including dental crowns. If you have any other questions, she can be reached via her website.