Do You Know About Crowns?
We never recommend a dental treatment to a patient unless they are experiencing a complication with their oral health and would benefit from a restorative dental treatment. If you have postponed or avoided a treatment we recommended, we highly suggest you schedule your appointment as soon as possible. Delaying necessary dental care can result in a dental emergency or the need for more in-depth treatment. We know that it can be intimidating to receive a treatment that you are not familiar with. Today we want to take a few minutes to explain more about one of the most common treatments a patient may need — a dental crown. Even if you don’t currently need a dental crown, it is extremely likely that you or a loved one may need one in the future. Read on to learn more about dental crowns.
What is a Dental Crown?
It can be overwhelming and intimidating to learn that you need a dental treatment you are not familiar with. A dental crown is an extremely common treatment that can be used for a variety of reasons but is always used to restore the function of the teeth. A dental crown is a tooth-colored cap that is placed over a damaged, decayed, or cracked tooth to protect it from further damage. A dental crown is also commonly used to complete certain treatments, such as a dental implant or root canal. We may recommend a dental crown to:
- Cover a tooth that is misshapen or severely discolored
- Replace a tooth with a large filling
- Add strength to a tooth with little structure remaining
- Fix a cracked tooth
What to Know About the Procedure
A dental crown procedure requires more than one office visit. During the first visit, we remove any decay from the tooth and make the tooth smaller. We then take an impression of the area in the mouth to make a temporary crown and get the images needed for the permanent crown. After the permanent crown is created, you come back to the office to have the crown placed and ensure a proper fit.
If we recommended a dental crown during your last visit, we encourage you to call our office, which is located in Terre Haute, IN to schedule an appointment. Delaying a needed treatment can result in more extensive treatments and additional costs. We want to help prevent you from experiencing further oral health complications.