Charleston area dentist discusses benefits of crowns for damaged or decayed teeth

Many common dental procedures, including crowns, have both a cosmetic benefit and restore function. Modern dental crowns, artfully designed and placed by Dr. Andrew Greenberg, are durable and attractive.

Crowns explained

Also called a cap, a crown made of porcelain, ceramic, gold, or other metal alloys is shaped to fit over prepared tooth structure. Mouth Carolina Dentistry, PA uses a type of ceramic known as zirconia fused with metal, which is lauded in part for resisting corrosion. This “lava” crown is a particularly strong, yet still aesthetic option for teeth toward the back of the mouth that sustain greater forces from the act of biting and chewing than those teeth in the “smile zone.” Regardless of the material used, the crown caps remaining structure of a tooth damaged by decay or other trauma, restoring its shape, size, and strength.

Candidates for a crown

Crowns are incredibly versatile and may be your treatment of choice to:

• Replace a filling that is too large to adequately support the tooth
• Build up a fractured or weak tooth
• Cap a decayed or damaged tooth following root canal treatment
• Serve as the visible part of a dental implant-supported crown
• Support a pontic or replacement tooth, as part of a dental bridge
• Keep parts of a cracked tooth together

A crown may be the only way to save a tooth that is extensively fractured or damaged, and cannot be reinstated with a filling.

The treatment process

After determining that a crown is right for you, Dr. Greenberg prepares the tooth. Depending on the extent of damage to the center of your tooth, root canal therapy may be needed. Tooth structure is reduced to make room for the crown. From there an impression of your teeth is made. It serves as the model for fabrication of the crown.

A temporary crown is placed to protect the prepared site and allow any infected areas to heal while the permanent crown is being made. Exercise care when eating with your temporary, because the composite material is not as durable as the permanent crown, and can break more easily.

In about two weeks, the temporary is removed at a second appointment. The permanent crown is fitted and adjusted as needed. Dr. Greenberg then cements it securely to the tooth.

Enjoying your new crown Crowns are designed to look and function like natural healthy teeth, so there are no special instructions for after-care. With proper home care and professional cleanings, crowns can last for decades.

The lifespan of a crown may be shortened by the very habits damaged your natural tooth, such as:

• Chewing your fingernails
• Biting down on ice cubes, pencils, or other hard items
• Using tobacco products
• Clenching and grinding your teeth at night
• Opening packages with your teeth

Dr. Greenberg at Mouth Carolina Dentistry, PA in Charleston will assess if your teeth need crowns or if another type of restorations or intervention is more appropriate. Call (843)751 4262 to schedule a consultation.