Crowns
You may be wondering what a dental crown in The Woodlands, TX is if Dr. Erika Cummings recommended receiving one. Crowns, which fit over the top of your tooth, help to preserve damaged or decayed teeth. Dr. Cummings reshapes the tooth to ensure that the crown fits correctly and stays affixed. Most dental crowns last around 10 years before requiring a replacement.
Common Reasons for Needing a Dental Crown
Crowns serve multiple purposes, most of which fall under the category of restorative dentistry. These include:
- Cover a single-tooth dental implant
- Cover a tooth that has received a root canal to prevent it from becoming infected again
- Keep a dental bridge firmly in place
- Restore a tooth that has broken or become worn
- Restore and strengthen a tooth that has weakened due to decay or dental disease
- Support and protect a cracked tooth
Crowns can also be effective for cosmetic purposes, such as covering a discolored tooth. In this case, you also have several other options, such as professional teeth whitening or composite resin bonding material.
What to Expect When You Need a Dental Crown
You will need to schedule two appointments at Sterling Ridge Cosmetic & Family Dentistry to receive your new dental crown. During the first appointment, Dr. Cummings prepares your tooth for the crown by removing some of its enamel. If your tooth is badly decayed, she may need to add filling material to bulk up the tooth to support a crown.
For the next steps, Dr. Cummings takes an impression of your teeth with a digital scanner or putty-like material. She then fits you with a temporary dental crown while waiting for your impression to come back from our laboratory. You will wear the temporary crown for approximately two to three weeks.
Your dentist removes the temporary crown and places the permanent one at the next appointment. Before doing so, she checks to make sure that you approve of the color and shape and that it fits over your tooth correctly. Lastly, Dr. Cummings uses dental cement to bond the crown in place.
Are you concerned about a weak or damaged tooth? Please contact our dental practice in The Woodlands, Texas, to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Sources
Dental Crowns: Types, Procedure & Care (clevelandclinic.org)