If You Have Experienced Dental Trauma, You May Need a Dental Crown

We can place a dental crown around your tooth after it has become cracked or chipped. As a general dentist, we have found that even our most careful patients can find themselves in a situation where they have a damaged tooth. Very often, this is due by a sports accident, workplace injury, or car wreck. Even wrestling with the kid can cause a tooth to chip, and biting down on a piece of ice can do the same. Regardless of why your tooth became damaged, it is important to restore it right away so that you do not experience any unnecessary discomfort and so that your tooth does not become infected.

Call A General Dentist Office to See if You Need a Dental Crown

When visiting our general dentist office, we will conduct a physical examination and take an X-ray to determine the full extent of the damage. We will also go over what the best course of treatment will be for the tooth. One thing that we will look for is whether or not the root or interior of the tooth sustains damage.

In some cases, dental trauma will impact the exterior of the tooth while also irritating the root. A root canal is then necessary to smooth out the root and prevent discomfort. If necessary, we will do this prior to placing a dental crown.

The Steps Involved in Placing a Dental Crown

First, we will take an impression of your teeth and measurements so that the crown can be created in the dental lab. The new crown will be made in the perfect size, shape, and shade to blend in with the surrounding teeth. Next, we will numb the area and prepare the tooth. This requires removing a portion of the enamel from around the tooth so that the crown lays flat and does not irritate the surrounding teeth.

Typically, we place a temporary crown around the tooth and secure it in place using a water-based, removable glue. Once the crown is complete, the patient will need to come back in so we can remove the temporary crown and bond the permanent one in place. Once this aspect of the procedure is complete, the patient will have a fully restored and natural looking tooth.

A crown allows patients to eat all of their favorite foods and bite down with force, even if the tooth has a severe crack or chip. Typically, a dental crown will last for 15 years or longer with proper care. To do so, one only needs to brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit our office for an annual teeth cleaning. Naturally, it is important to avoid other risk factors like chewing tobacco or biting on pencils. However, keeping the crown intact and functioning is relatively easy. A dental crown is a restoration that can stand the test of time.

If you are experiencing severe tooth discomfort or have physically damaged a tooth, we invite you to call our San Clemente dental office and schedule an appointment for a dental exam to see if you need to have a crown placed.