Dental Crowns Cary, NC
In order to maintain a gorgeous smile, you need to maintain the integrity of the crowns of your teeth. Due to a variety of different ailments, though, you may find that a crown is failing. When this is the case, you’ll want to discuss replacement options with your dentist.
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Why a Tooth May Need to Be Repaired
There are a few different reasons why a tooth may need to be repaired. One of the most common is tooth decay. When a patient gets tooth decay, a cavity may form. As the tooth decay spreads, more of the integrity of the tooth may be compromised. If infection reaches the root of the tooth, root canal therapy will be needed. If the decay and infection is not handled in a timely fashion, the damage to the tooth may become so severe that the tooth will need to be extracted. In order to avoid an extraction, a tooth needs to be treated and repaired as soon as possible. There are other times that a tooth may become damaged due to heavy bite forces, trauma or other forms of damage. This also may lead to a need for repair.
The Importance of Tooth Repair
No matter what caused the injury to your tooth, it needs to be repaired as soon as possible. There are a few different reasons that this is the case. The first is to stop the furthering of the damage to the tooth. If a tooth is compromised, it is very likely that the tooth will continue to sustain damage. Over time, this damage may become too severe to be repaired.
Another important reason for tooth repair is the exposure that a broken or damaged tooth creates for bacteria to enter the tooth and cause infection. A damaged tooth can make it much easier to form bacteria and accumulate debris - leading to decay and infection both in and around the tooth. Without repairing the tooth, you may end up needing root canal therapy and/or a deep cleaning to resolve the issue.
Finally, it’s important to understand the damage that a broken tooth can cause to the rest of the mouth. With a broken tooth, you increase your risk of damaging your cheeks and tongue.
Everything that was mentioned only outlines the damage to your oral health. You’ll also want to consider the fact that a damaged tooth is very painful, and the pain can increase as the damage becomes worse.
Because of all of these reasons, you’ll want to make sure that you repair a damaged tooth as soon as possible.
Dental Crown Process
When you notice damage to your tooth—or when you notice any form of pain, swelling or any other irregularities, you’ll want to set an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Do not wait for your next regular checkup and cleaning. When you visit your dentist for this appointment, they will take a look at the amount of damage that has been sustained to the tooth. They may also take x-rays to better see how much of the tooth is damaged. From there, they will determine the best option for treatment.
Once your dentist decides that a dental crown is the best treatment option, they will begin work on removing the decay from the tooth. A dye is typically used to be sure that all of the decay has been removed. Once the decay is removed, they will reshape your tooth to make it easier to place the dental crown. This process should be painless. Once the tooth is reshaped, a scan or an impression will be made for the lab to create the perfect replacement crown. This may take a couple of weeks (sometimes longer).
When the new dental crown is ready to be placed, your dentist will let you know. From there, you will visit your dentist to have the dental crown placed. Your dentist will check to make sure the new crown fits properly, and matches the surrounding teeth. If the dentist is comfortable with the fit and look of the new crown, they will place it with a dental cement.
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Choosing an Option
When a tooth is damaged, there are a few different replacement options. Choosing the right option will require a discussion with your dentist. If tooth decay or damage is minimal, your dentist may opt to simply place a filling. If it is more severe, you may need a dental veneer or a dental crown placed to save your tooth.
Crowns vs Veneers
While dental crowns and dental veneers are very similar, they are separate procedures. The main difference between the two comes down to how much of the natural tooth is saved, and how much repair is necessary. Dental veneers are helpful to fix damage that goes beyond cosmetic, but isn’t so severe that the whole crown of a tooth needs to be replaced. When the damage is more severe, though, a dental crown will be needed to save the healthy tooth.
Dentists You Can Trust
We take the time to explain treatment and use the latest in dental technology to ensure a conservative approach to your dental care. We have specialized eyepieces and special decay-detecting dye to be sure we can see the smallest amount of decay and remove only the diseased portions of the tooth. Our iTero scanner allows us to scan your teeth and create restorations with world-class accuracy.
Dr. Jim Bohn
Dr. Bohn is a native of Pennsylvania. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology at Penn State University and a Doctorate of Medical Dentistry from Temple University School of Dentistry.
Dr. Jerry Allen
Dr. Jerry Allen was born and raised in Eastern North Carolina. He received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (D.D.S) with Honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.