What are crowns used for?
Dental crowns are simply caps that are placed over teeth. They can be used to help fix teeth that are very damaged, such as teeth with cracks or a very large cavity that may cause the tooth to break if only a filling is used to fix it. Crowns can also be used for teeth that are worn, oddly shaped, discolored, or very small, and a crown may be used as an anchor for other dental work.
Getting a crown typically takes two appointments. At the first appointment, your tooth will be formed into its ideal shape, by shaving some of the tooth off. An impression will be made, which is sent to a lab (you’ll get a temporary crown as your permanent crown is being made). When your permanent crown is ready, at your second appointment, your dentist will use a special cement to bond it to the tooth.
There are many benefits to crowns. They look very natural – no one will be able to tell you have a crown, and you may even forget which tooth it is on. You’ll get used to your new crown very quickly, and it will feel very natural. Your new crown can last up to 15 years. It doesn’t need any special care – you will brush and floss your teeth just as you normally would.
However, the greatest benefit to getting a crown is that it will help to keep your teeth healthy. It repairs damaged teeth and prevents even worse problems, such as infection and tooth loss. Keeping all of your teeth healthy also means you’ll have a healthy jaw, which will prevent jaw pain in the future.
If you have a cracked tooth or a cavity, don’t wait. Contact Soft Touch Dentistry for an appointment as soon as possible. Call the Brighton office at (617) 782-9250 or the Newton office at (617) 332-8146 today!
