Put a Cap on Declining Dental Health and Discomfort
Dental Crowns Summerville
When teeth sustain structural damage, or become severely decayed, portions must often be removed in order to preserve the tooth. However, once the tooth is treated, it will likely lose the support and strength needed for comfortable chewing, and may be unable to maintain the balance in your jaw needed to avoid any resulting discomfort in your mandible, neck, and shoulders (often referred to as temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ). Dental crowns are special tooth-shaped caps designed to fit over a treated tooth, providing the support and balance you need to maintain a healthy smile. They can also be used to restore a dental implant. To learn more about how dental crowns placed at Dr. John Hess' office - serving Summerville, South Carolina - can help you enjoy improved oral health and comfort, please contact us today.
The Dental Crown Procedure
The first and most important step in receiving a dental crown is the treatment of the tooth. If your tooth is structurally damaged, portions of your tooth will probably need to be removed to accommodate the crown. If your tooth is decayed, the dentist must remove the decayed portions. Depending upon the extent of the decay, this may also involve root canal therapy, which requires the removal of the tooth's inner pulp, extending into the tooth roots, leaving only the outside structure to support the crown. Once the treatment is complete, the dentist will use special putty to take a mold of your tooth and its adjacent teeth, which will be used to create your custom crown. The dentist will place a temporary crown over the tooth to protect it while your permanent crown is created.
When you return to the dentist, Dr. Hess will remove the temporary crown and place the permanent crown, securing it to your tooth or dental implant with a strong adhesive. Dr. Hess will check your bite several times, making any necessary alterations to the crown so that it maintains a proper balance between your upper and lower jaws.
Dental crowns placed at our practice serving Summerville are made from a variety of materials, including porcelain, which looks the most realistic, and metal alloy, which is the most durable. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to determine what kind of dental crown is best for you.
Dental Crown Considerations
Dental crowns can provide numerous benefits for you, but it is important to understand that they might require a replacement eventually. Like natural teeth, porcelain and resin crowns can become chipped or broken. Crowns can also become dislodged. With proper care, you can expect your dental crown to last between five and 15 years. Proper care includes avoiding especially hard or sticky foods, and taking care to pull floss from front to back between your crown and adjacent teeth instead of straight up and down, which can cause your crown to become dislodged from its base.
Learn More about Dental Crowns
If you have missing, broken, or decayed teeth, or wish to restore a dental implant, a dental crown may be the right solution for you. To learn more about dental crowns, contact our practice serving Summerville, Goose Creek and North Charleston, South Carolina, today.
