Dental crowns are one of the most versatile treatments in modern dentistry. They can treat a wide range of problems, both cosmetic and health-based. If your dentist has mentioned a dental crown as a possible treatment for a damaged tooth, this post may help you understand what crowns are, how they work, and what you can expect from your dental crown. Contact Walnut Pond Dentistry to learn about a possible tooth crown, Clinton NJ.

Do you need a new dentist? Visit our Clinton NJ dental office to meet our friendly dentists Dr. Victoria Uryniak and Carson Ferris-Zeolla. We love to help our patients get the oral care they need and keep their smiles bright and healthy!   

What is a Tooth Crown?

A dental crown is a tooth shaped cap that fits over a natural tooth. It can be made from metal, porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or zirconia. Most patients prefer full ceramic crowns because they are as hard as natural tooth enamel and stay beautiful in your smile, even as they age.

When a tooth requires a protective crown, as small amount of enamel is removed from the tooth to ensure the crown fits in with the rest of your teeth naturally. When properly made and placed, a crown will look, feel, and act just like your natural tooth. Crowns are an excellent solution for teeth that have been compromised by damage or decay. Think of it almost like a helmet for a tooth, that doesn’t change how the tooth looks, feels, or behaves.

What Problems Can a Tooth Crown Correct?

Some reasons to consider a restorative tooth crown, Clinton NJ, include the following:

  • Dark stains on a tooth that don’t respond to whitening
  • Chips or fractures
  • Enamel erosion
  • Broken tooth
  • Deep cracks
  • Widespread damage from tooth decay

Getting a Crown

If you choose to get a dental crown, you will need two appointments. At the first appointment, we will take a dental impression, treat the tooth, and then take a second dental impression. We send the two impressions to a dental laboratory where they will use them to create a model of your teeth. This model helps them fabricate a crown out of your preferred material that will fit perfectly into your mouth.

After your first appointment, you will need to wear a temporary crown until the permanent crown is ready. A temporary crown is not meant to last more than a few weeks, and is more vulnerable to breaking. You should always take care to avoid very challenging foods that may be too crunchy, chewy, or hard for your temporary crown. If the crown comes loose, call our office right away so we can re-attach it for you. (Leaving a treated tooth unprotected can cause sensitivity or damage to the tooth.)

Does a Tooth Crown Require a Root Canal?

As long as a tooth has a strong and healthy base beneath it, a tooth crown is a potential option for restoring its appearance and structure. When we examine the tooth, we will determine whether the inside of the tooth is at risk. If a deep cavity or crack has reached the pulp chamber of the tooth, you may require a root canal treatment before you can get a crown. If this is the case, we will show you the x-ray, so you can see why the treatment is needed.

Contact Us to Learn More About a Tooth Crown, Clinton NJ

If you have a problem tooth that’s starting to fail, getting a crown in time can protect and preserve the tooth. If you take too long to give a cavity or crack the attention it deserves, however, the tooth may get to a point in which we cannot preserve it! You don’t want to wind up needing an extraction if a tooth crown can restore the tooth. Call us today at 908-200-6651 to learn more about dental crowns.