Dental Crowns
Dental crowns act as caps for vulnerable, weak, cracked teeth. They are available in a variety of materials, such as zirconia, porcelain, and ceramic, all of which we offer at Advanced Dentistry of Mount Pleasant.
Patients often prefer to opt for porcelain crowns to cover teeth that are visible when you smile. However, if you are covering a tooth that is further back in the mouth, such as a molar, other materials may be suitable and cheaper.
Dr. Candice Vinson is a tooth restoration expert with a specialization in prosthodontics. If you have a decayed, broken, or vulnerable tooth that needs additional protection, schedule an appointment with us today.
Tooth Restorations
What Are Crowns?
Dental crowns are caps that are used to cover your natural teeth. Not to be confused with veneers which only cover the front-facing side of the teeth, crowns cover the entire surface of the tooth and require more preparation of the tooth such as filing it down and shaping it before placing a fitted crown on top.
What to Expect
Does It Hurt to Get a Dental Crown?
The actual dental crown procedure is not painful at all. You will be given a local anesthetic before any drilling or filing, so the most you would feel during the treatment is some pressure. Once the anesthetic wears off, you may feel some mild discomfort, soreness, or swelling for a day or two following your crown placement.
Pain or discomfort can be relieved by using over-the-counter pain medication and swelling or soreness can be reduced through the use of ice packs. The procedure takes place in two separate appointments.
Understanding the Procedure
What Happens During the Procedure?
First Appointment - Dr. Candice Vinson will examine your tooth, and if there is significant damage or cracking, it will need to be filled before a tooth restoration can be created. Then a mold will be taken of your teeth to match your tooth restoration to the true size, shape, and color of your natural teeth.
Any infected areas of the tooth will be drilled out. Your tooth will be filed down and shaped to properly fit the crown in your mouth. A temporary crown may be placed while you wait for your permanent crown to be created.
Second Appointment - If you were given a temporary crown, this will be removed and your new crown will adhere to your teeth with dental cement or an adhesive.
Protect Vulnerable Teeth
Why Do I Need a Dental Crown?
Crowns are used to improve the appearance and function of damaged teeth and to prevent vulnerable teeth from further damage. Crowns are often recommended for dental patients who have undergone root canals to prevent reinfection and to preserve the tooth’s structural integrity.
A good candidate for a dental crown would be someone with any of the following:
- Cracked or broken tooth
- A tooth that has undergone a root canal
- Weak tooth at risk of breaking
- Stained or oddly shaped tooth
Need a bridge or denture (crowns are used to hold them in place)
Have Any Questions?
If you have any other concerns or questions about the benefits, procedure, or what to expect from dental crowns, contact us at Advanced Dentistry of Mount Pleasant today. Our expert dental team would be more than happy to give you more information or have you come in for a consultation. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Vinson to find out if dental crowns could be right for you.
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