At Glendora Family Dentistry, we’re used to patients asking the question: what is a tooth crown? A tooth crown, also known as a “dental crown” or “dental cap”, is a type of restoration that helps to save a tooth threatened by severe decay or trauma. It may also be appropriate when the tooth is severely misshapen, misaligned, or discolored. Dr. Desai also places a tooth crown after a patient has had a root canal procedure performed. No matter what the reasons for the crown, it helps to protect the tooth from infection by keeping bacteria away. It can also hold the tooth together in some cases.
Major Benefits of Tooth Crowns
A dental crown covers the tooth in question and offers superior protection when compared with other types of restorative dentistry. Some of the most important benefits of receiving a tooth crown include:
- Once placed, the crown blends into your natural teeth
- It restores the functionality of the damaged tooth as well as the teeth surrounding it
- Having a cap in place means that you can still enjoy all of your favorite foods, although you should be careful with very hard or sticky foods
- Tooth crowns are permanent and can last as long as two decades with proper care
- An infected or broken tooth can affect the shape and appearance of your face but a crown prevents that from happening
How You Receive a Tooth Crown
After Dr. Desai recommends a crown, he will ask you to come in for an oral examination. During this appointment, he visually inspects the tooth scheduled to receive a cap and ensures that it is strong enough to withstand the procedure. He also ensures that the surrounding bone can support the tooth and the crown together. Dr. Desai files the chewing surface of the tooth so the crown will fit on it properly.
The last thing he does at your initial appointment is to take an impression of the tooth and sends the mold to our dental laboratory for processing. We can provide you with a temporary dental crown before you go home if you would like. When your customized tooth crown comes back from the lab, you’ll need to stop in for a final fitting.
If you’re concerned about the long-term health of one or more of your teeth, contact Glendora Family Dentistry to request a consultation to learn more about dental crowns.
