Tooth enamel may be the strongest substance in the entire body, but teeth can still become damaged in a variety of different ways. Whether you have experienced tooth decay or an injury, this can leave your pearly whites needing some extra support to stay in good health.
Fortunately, at Derby Dental, we offer customized dental crowns to protect your structurally compromised teeth from additional damage. To learn if a dental crown is the solution for you, give our office a call to schedule your appointment. We provide restorative dentistry treatments to patients in and around Austin, Texas.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a custom-crafted “cap” that’s made to fit over the biting surface of your damaged or weakened tooth above the gum line. This restoration can be made from a variety of different materials, including ceramic and zirconia due to their durability, yet natural-looking appearance. Dental crowns are generally recommended if you have one or more of the following problems:
- Broken tooth in need of additional support
- Missing tooth being replaced with a dental implant
- Tooth that is severely misshapen or discolored
- Dental bridge that needs support from adjacent teeth
- Tooth that has undergone root canal therapy
- Severe decay repaired with a large dental filling
The Process of Getting a Dental Crown
The process of getting a dental crown is relatively straightforward. It generally takes place over a few appointments. During your first one, we will take a look at your smile to ensure that a dental crown is the best option to protect your tooth from additional damage. Next, a thin layer of your enamel is removed to make room for the crown to fit comfortably in the mouth.
The goal is for your crown to feel and look just like a natural tooth. That’s why we take impressions of your tooth and surrounding gum line. This will be sent to a dental laboratory where your crown is custom crafted just for you. In the meantime, you will be given a temporary crown to keep your tooth safe in the meantime. During your next visit, your custom restoration will be placed.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
There are numerous benefits that you can expect when you get a dental crown. Here are just some of the more prominent ones:
- Comfortable
- Prevents future problems
- Natural appearance
- Customized
- Can last 15+ years
- Easy chewing