What are dental crowns and why do we need them?
With millions of dental crowns placed every year, crowns are a very common dental procedure. But if you’ve never gotten a dental crown before, you may be wondering what the procedure is for and why Dr. Daniel Baker would recommend a crown if you see him at our office in Hopewell, VA.
So let’s boost your dental IQ and let City Point Dental walk you through it.
What is a dental crown?
Put simply, a dental crown is a hollow false tooth. A crown looks just like a real tooth on the outside and is designed to fit over one of your natural teeth. After Dr. Baker trims and preps it, the crown fits perfectly onto your tooth, protecting it with a durable, strong, and natural-looking porcelain material.
As far as your daily life is concerned, the crown essentially becomes your new tooth. It covers up and protects the remaining tooth structure all the way down to your gum line. Crowns are stain-resistant and durable, and can last 10-15 years with proper dental care.
Why would I need to get dental crown on my tooth?
Now that you know what dental crowns are, how do you know when a dental crown is the best choice for restoring your smile?
Here are a few reasons that Dr. Baker may recommend a crown for your tooth:
Treating large cavities – If you have a big cavity, it’s usually better to treat with a dental crown, rather than a dental filling. Large fillings are weak and tend to need to be redone more often than smaller fillings. In the case of large cavities, a crown is likely the right treatment option.
Protecting teeth after a root canal – Once Dr. Baker removes the infection from your tooth with root canal therapy, he will typically cover your tooth up with a crown. This protects the newly-treated tooth and also restores your smile.
Repairing damaged teeth – If you chip, crack, or break a tooth, Dr. Baker will usually recommend a crown to cover it up and repair it. Depending on how deep the damage is, you may also need a root canal to treat your damaged tooth.
What can I expect from the dental crown treatment process?
To begin, Dr. Baker will clean and numb your mouth. Then, he’ll use a dental drill to remove any damaged pieces of your tooth. Next, he will trim down the tooth to create a stable place for your new crown to sit. Once this is done, he will take images and impressions of your teeth.
Dr. Baker will attach a temporary crown to your tooth, then send you home. Next, he will send your images and impressions to our partner dental lab. This is where your new porcelain crown will be custom-built to fit your tooth perfectly. It usually takes between 2-3 weeks to build your crown.
Once your crown is done, the lab will send it to City Point Dental, and you’ll come back for your final appointment. Dr. Baker will remove your temporary crown, clean up the area, and then attach your porcelain crown to your tooth using dental cement. After one last buffing and polishing, Dr. Baker will send you home to enjoy your new smile.
You can treat a crown just like a natural tooth. All you have to do is brush and floss normally and see Dr. Baker for checkups every six months. With good at-home oral hygiene, you can keep your restoration in great shape for years to come.
Think you need a dental crown? Come to City Point Dental for a consultation
Dental crowns are an essential part of restorative dentistry. If you think you have a cavity, a damaged tooth, or an infected tooth, you may need a crown as part of your treatment. The sooner you get treatment, the better—so don’t wait! Contact City Point Dentistry online or give us a call at (804) 541-1896 to schedule a consultation at our dental office in Hopewell, VA today.
