Dental Crown Service- Comprehensive dental care available in Bethesda MD.
A crown is a circumferential support for a tooth which can no longer hold a filling. All teeth which have had a Root Canal need a crown. Due to the Root Canal, the tooth has lost its nutrients and blood supply and eventually will turn into a brittle consistency which is somewhat hard, but will fracture if hit the wrong way.
The construction of a crown is very precise and generally requires at least two visits. During the first visit, the damaged tooth is prepared to accept the crown. It maybe necessary to replace the damaged part of the tooth with a core first. An impression is taken and a temporary crown is put in place. At the second visit, the temporary crown is removed. The permanent crown is then cemented onto the prepared tooth. If cosmetics are a concern, tooth colored porcelain is baked onto the crown surface.
Materials used are either high grade porcelain, or porcelain bonded to gold. Many people have unexplained pain from filled back teeth, usually due to fine hair line cracks in the chewing part of the tooth. Placing crowns on these teeth relieves the pain and allows a return of full dental function for these teeth. In front teeth, older fillings can both weaken the teeth and cause “appearance” problems due to staining or chipping. In teeth with root canal fillings, crowns can prevent these teeth from breaking. Some of the indications for a crown are:
1. A previously filled tooth where there now exists more filling than tooth. The existing tooth structure becomes weakened and can no longer support the filling.
2. Extensive damage by decay.
3. Discolorations and compromised esthetics.
4. Fractures
5. Root canal – After root canal, teeth tend to become brittle and are more apt to fracture. They need to be protected by a crown.
6. Bridges – When missing teeth are replaced with a bridge, the adjacent teeth require crowns in order to support the replacement teeth.
Crowns strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and can improve the appearance of your teeth.
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