A crown is a type of dental restoration that is designed to fully cover a tooth that has been broken, stained, or otherwise damaged. Usually, a crown is used to treat teeth decaying or broken below the gum line, making it painful to chew or bite down. If left unaddressed, these issues can lead to further pain and tooth loss in the future.
At Richard Ramos DMD Inc., our dentist will carefully examine your teeth for early signs of damage, decay, and gum disease during your dental checkup. If they find an issue that needs to be treated, they may recommend getting a dental crown. This treatment can restore the function and health of your teeth so you can smile with confidence again. Dental crowns can also be used cosmetically to cover stained or misshapen teeth for a more beautiful smile.
When Is A Dental Crown Recommended?
In most cases, our dentists recommend getting a crown following a restorative procedure such as a root canal. If a tooth has been damaged from the decay process and cannot be fixed with fillings, the only way to restore the tooth is with a crown. Additionally, if a tooth has been broken or weakened due to a large filling, this can be remedied with a crown to prevent further breakage and improve the look and strength of this tooth. Sometimes, our patients will opt for a crown to enhance the aesthetics of their smile. If you have severely stained or discolored teeth that do not respond to teeth whitening treatments, one of our dentists may recommend a dental crown as an alternative way to brighten your smile.
The Dental Crowns Procedure
During the procedure, the dentist will numb the tooth and surrounding gums before removing any present decay. Once all signs of decay have been removed, the tooth will be reshaped so that the crown will fit securely over the top of it. If the tooth is misshapen or damaged, it may need to be filed down before being covered with a crown. After the tooth has been prepared, an impression will be made of the position of the tooth and the surrounding teeth. This impression will be sent to an outside lab to create your customized crown. The crown will be made out of a mold of the impression and then sent back to your dentist to be cemented in place. Once it has been cemented, your tooth will look completely natural, and no one will be able to tell that you have had a restoration done.
Crowns are made from various materials, including metal alloys, porcelain fused to metal, all ceramic, and all resin. Our dentist will carefully assess your smile to determine which material suits your situation. Contact Richard Ramos DMD Inc. at 3075 Travis Blvd., Fairfield, CA 94535, or call (707) 435-9004 for more information about crowns.
