We hope you have had a great summer and have been able to enjoy some quality time with family and friends. If you are like so many, some of the things on your to-do list for summer just didn’t get done. Was getting in to see us one of them? If so, we look forward to seeing you soon! In the meantime, we wanted to share a little information about one procedure that can rescue teeth that have become badly decayed.
Saving Teeth Is What We Do
We believe in the conservative approach to dentistry — we want to do the least invasive procedures possible to restore your teeth. Many times, a tooth-colored filling is all that is required to repair a chip or decayed area. Other times the decay may have progressed too far, and a crown may be the best solution. There are other instances where a crown may be the best option, too.
If you have a tooth that has continued to decay around large restorations, or a tooth that has been cracked or chipped, a crown could be the best restorative option. Teeth eroded by constant teeth grinding also can be restored to a more pleasing appearance with a crown. Even gaps between teeth can be closed with well-designed crowns.
Porcelain crowns allow us to save your tooth by covering it completely in porcelain that is custom shaped for that tooth. The crown is tooth-colored and looks like your natural tooth. It can make the tooth stronger, especially when replacing large restorations that have additional decay. Why? When fillings become disproportionately large compared to your remaining tooth structure, they can cause pressure from within that could lead to fracturing of that remaining tooth structure. The crown restoration helps to distribute the chewing force across the surface, helping to avoid excess pressure on the tooth when you chew.
Having a Crown Made Requires Only Two Appointments
We know you are busy, so the good news is that having your tooth restored with a crown takes only two office visits. During the first visit, we will prep your tooth for the crown. This involves removing the damage or decay and shaping the remaining tooth to accept the restoration. We then take an impression, which will be used to create your crown. Finally, a temporary crown is placed to protect your tooth until the permanent crown is completed.
When the lab returns the permanent crown to us, you will return for your final appointment. We remove the temporary crown and test the permanent crown to be sure it fits properly. When we are satisfied that it fits as it should, we cement the permanent crown in place, and you are done!
Do You Think a Porcelain Crown Is in Your Future?
We want to help you get the smile you want while providing you with the best restoration for your situation. If you think a porcelain crown might solve a problem you have, or if it is time for your yearly exam, call us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to seeing you!
Best,
Dr. Munoz
