What are crowns?
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped coverings used to treat damaged or decaying teeth. Once placed, a crown covers the entire portion of the tooth above your gum line. Crowns restore a tooth’s strength, shape, and size, as well as its appearance.
With good oral hygiene and proper care, crowns can last for years. They preserve your tooth, prevent further damage, and improve your quality of life.
When are dental crowns necessary?
The team at Menlo Park Family Dental regularly uses dental crowns to:
- Protect weak or damaged teeth
- Restore broken or severely worn teeth
- Cover and support teeth with large fillings
- Hold dental bridges in place
- Attach to dental implants
Dental crowns can also address cosmetic imperfections, such as misshapen or discolored teeth.
Are dental crowns right for me?
Only a qualified dentist can determine if dental crowns are right for you. During your initial consultation, your Menlo Park Family Dental provider conducts an oral exam, reviews your oral health history, and asks about your symptoms and lifestyle. Afterward, they take X-rays to determine the extent of tooth damage or decay.
If the X-rays reveal damage or infection to your tooth pulp –– the soft center of your tooth that contains nerves and connective tissue –– your dentist may recommend a root canal before moving forward with treatment. That said, if you have a chipped or cracked tooth or a tooth with a mild or moderate cavity, you’ll likely benefit from the placement of a dental crown.
What’s involved in getting dental crowns?
Getting dental crowns usually takes two separate appointments.
At your first appointment, your Menlo Park Family Dental provider administers a local anesthetic to numb your tooth roots and gums. Once the anesthesia sets in, they carefully prepare your tooth to receive the crown.
Next, your provider takes impressions of your tooth and sends them to a dental lab that manufactures your crown.
A week or two later, you return to the practice. At your second appointment, your provider administers a local anesthetic and carefully bonds your permanent crown to the top of your tooth. The process is quick and pain-free. Following your appointment, you can return to normal activities right away.
If you’re interested in learning more about dental crowns, schedule an appointment at Menlo Park Family Dental. Call the office and speak with a friendly staff member or book a consultation online today.
