Everyone knows that the key to great dental health is brushing, flossing, and seeing the dentist regularly. However, another important aspect of maintaining healthy teeth and gums is by catching a problem early on and correcting it before it gets out of hand and results in losing a tooth.
Some common problems that are best caught early on are a weak tooth, one that has become broken, or one that is worn down. These problems are serious, of course, but are not terribly worrisome because they can all be corrected by a simple procedure called a dental crown.
Dental crowns are essentially a cap for your tooth that is made especially to fit your exact tooth. It will not make your tooth look any different than your other teeth once it is installed because it is custom made to blend in. Dental crowns are made from different materials, including metals, resin, and ceramics. What type of material is used will vary by dentist, as well as by the problems that it is hoping to correct, and the condition of your tooth.
For the procedure, your tooth will be filed down and shaped so that the crown can be added. Your dentist will take a mold of your tooth to be sent to a laboratory to make your permanent crown. In the meantime, the dentist will give you a temporary crown so that you do not have only a partial tooth. The temporary dental crown is typically made of a more lightweight material and care has to be taken so that it does not come out. Once the permanent crown is available, it will be installed by cementing it to the tooth.
If you have more serious problems and have had teeth pulled, you may also be told you are getting a dental crown. It will be a bit different in that situation, though, because most likely you will be getting it over the top of a dental implant, which is a more serious procedure.
Whatever the reason for your dental crown, you need to make sure that you take care of it so that its integrity stays intact. You need to continue to care for all of your teeth, including the one under the crown because it can still be harmed by bacteria that can lead to decay.
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For more information on tooth whitening as well as Invisalign, it is important to schedule a consultation at a Boston area cosmetic dentistry office to learn more.
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