Should You Get a Dental Crown?
Depending on the severity of the situation, an infected tooth may not need a dental crown placed over it. Minor cavities are often successfully treated by removing the small, decayed area and restoring it with a dental filling. If a significant amount of tooth structure must be removed, however, then a dental crown can be designed and placed over the tooth and filling to reinforce the weakened structure. Although your dentist will advise you if you need one, it is ultimately your decision whether or not you receive a dental crown. As Columbia dentist, Dr. David Foster, warns, the decision may have serious consequences for the future of your oral health.
Reasons for Dental Restoration
A dental crown is a custom-made replica of a patient’s tooth that sits above the gum line. When a tooth is cracked, fractured, broken, or requires the removal of infected tissue, it may become too weak to sustain the pressures of biting and chewing. Since teeth cannot heal themselves, dental crowns are often used to restore and protect the healthy tooth structure and avoid the need for tooth extraction.The crown fits over a compromised tooth and is bonded to its structure, allowing it to continue functioning.
Choosing the Right Dental Crown for You
Most modern dental crowns are crafted from innovative, lifelike porcelain that is tinted to match a patient’s natural tooth color. The porcelain, or ceramic, is also layered to mimic the unique light-reflecting properties of tooth enamel. Using CEREC same-day crown restorations, Dr. Foster can design, craft, and place many patients’ dental crowns in just one visit. For heavy load-bearing teeth, such as molars, or for patients who grind their teeth and have a habit of destroying dental work, Dr. Foster may recommend a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, which offers the aesthetic value of dental porcelain combined with the additional strength of metal.
Patients who’ve lost a tooth or need one extracted can also find a realistic replacement with a dental crown attached to a dental implant. A dental implant is a surgically-inserted prosthetic tooth root made from biocompatible titanium. As the jawbone heals, it fuses to the titanium implant’s surface, creating a “root” upon which Dr. Foster can situate the replacement dental crown.
About Dr. Foster:
David Foster, DDS is a Columbia, TN native who’s served the dental needs of our community since 1985. If you live in Columbia, Lewisburg, Lewisburg, Hohenwald, Centerville, or any of the surrounding communities, call us today at (931) 388 – 3384 to schedule an appointment.