How We Use Dental Crowns
If you get a cavity, we need to fill the tooth to eliminate discomfort, prevent further damage, and restore function. Without treatment, though, decay will cause so much damage that a filling may not be enough to protect the tooth, and Dr. Seger will recommend a dental crown.
A crown fits over your tooth like a helmet to strengthen and protect it from further damage. Some cases where we would recommend a crown are:
- Strengthen a tooth damaged by decay, infection, or trauma
- Protect and strengthen a tooth after root canal therapy
- Restore a dental implant to add function and improve the appearance
- Improve the esthetics of a tooth by altering its appearance
There are many materials that we can use, but Dr. Seger chooses high-strength zirconia crowns that are milled using computers. The result is a perfect, customized fit and exceptional durability.
Placing Your Dental Crown
The process of placing a new crown usually takes two visits. During these visits, we:
- Reshape your tooth to allow enough room for the crown to fit properly
- Take impressions to create a model of your teeth
- Send the model to a custom dental lab for fabrication
- Create a temporary to wear while the lab makes your new crown
Custom fabricating your new crown takes about two to three weeks, and when it’s ready, we’ll make an appointment to check it for fit, make any adjustments, and cement it in place. With proper care, your new crown can last many years.