What Is a Crown?
A crown, also called a dental crown, can be thought of as a helmet that sits over your tooth to protect it. It restores the area of the tooth visible above the gum line – the part we bite with, chew on, and show when we smile. Crowns are custom made to fit snugly over your tooth and look right at home in your mouth, looking just like any other tooth.
Why Do People Need Crowns?
A tooth that is chipped, cracked, or broken is an ideal candidate for a crown. The crown will help protect the tooth from any further damage (for example, preventing a crack turning into a break), while also restoring it to full functionality.
There are other cases where the team at Universal Dental Care may recommend getting a crown. These include:
· To restore a tooth that’s worn down.
· To restore a tooth that’s permanently stained.
· To replace a missing tooth by connecting the crown to a dental implant.
· To provide support for a dental bridge.
Crowns are also used after a root canal treatment. Because a root canal involves drilling a hole into the tooth to access the infected inner tissue, it’s important to restore the crown to its original state. In these cases, dental crowns not only restore the look and function of the tooth, but also maintain the sterile environment within the tooth to prevent reinfection.
Crowns can sometimes be needed as a matter of urgency. For an emergency dentist in Auburn, WA, look no further than Universal Dental Care.
What Are Dental Crowns Made Out Of?
Dental crowns are made out of porcelain. Porcelain is a tough, durable, stain-resistant material that matches the look of tooth enamel very well, making them blend in seamlessly with the teeth around them.
What’s The Process For Getting Crowns?
Porcelain crowns require two appointments after the initial consultation.
In the first step, the tooth is prepared. After a local anesthetic, a small amount of tooth is shaved down to allow space for the crown to sit without interfering with the adjacent teeth. An impression is taken and sent to a lab so experienced technicians can make a custom crown for your mouth.
On the second appointment the crown is fitted. The team at Universal Dental Care take great care to ensure your crown fits in place and is the right color before it’s cemented in place. If it’s not right, it gets sent back for revision until it’s perfect. Then the crown is set in place, and you’re good to go.
Universal Dental Care offers emergency dentistry, and is proud to serve as a dental walk-in clinic in Federal Way, WA. Contact us online with the online scheduler, or call us today to see if a crown is right for you.
