What to Expect During and After Your Root Canal
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How to Make the Most of Your Dental Crown
If you have a damaged tooth, you might need a dental crown. If you’ve never had a crown, you may have several questions about getting one. What exactly is a crown? Why do I need one? And where should I go for the best treatment?
When your tooth is cracked, weakened by decay, or severely worn down, it's necessary to consider a dental solution that repairs and protects the tooth.
A dental crown is a custom-fitted cap placed over your tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. Properly fitting a crown is a meticulous process that requires precision and experience to ensure it is long-lasting.
At LivWell Dentistry in San Francisco and San Ramon, California, Dr. Wenli Loo and Dr. Steve Deng have the expertise to ensure that each crown perfectly fits you and improves your overall dental health.
In this article, you'll learn about the reasons behind tooth damage, the detailed process of getting a crown, and how to care for it to ensure its longevity.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" placed over your tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns are used for several reasons:
- To protect a weak tooth from breaking
- To restore an already-broken tooth
- To support and cover a tooth that has a large filling
- To hold a dental bridge in place
- To cover a dental implant
Crowns come in different types, such as porcelain, ceramic, metal, and composite. Each type has unique benefits in terms of appearance and durability. The choice of material often depends on the tooth's location, the patient's bite, and aesthetic preferences.
Why might you need a crown?
A crown can save teeth weakened by decay, large fillings, or fractures. Additionally, crowns are an aesthetic solution for severely discolored or misshapen teeth, enhancing your smile while maintaining your dental health.
What to expect from the process
Getting a crown starts with a consultation with Dr. Loo and Dr. Deng. During the consultation, they'll assess your oral health, discuss your options, and prepare your tooth for the crown. This might involve reshaping the tooth and taking impressions to ensure your crown fits correctly.
Crown fitting and adjustment
Once your custom crown is ready, Dr. Loo and Dr. Deng will fit and adjust it to ensure it fits precisely. They fine-tune the crown for your comfort and functionality, so it feels just like one of your natural teeth.
Caring for your dental crown
Treat your crown as you would your natural teeth. Brush and floss regularly using a non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to keep your crown and surrounding gums in top shape.
Routine check-ups are also crucial to allow us to detect any issues with your crown and overall oral health. These visits are vital to preserve your crown.
Additionally, avoid habits like grinding your teeth, chewing ice, or using your teeth as a tool to prolong the life of your crown. These actions can damage both your natural teeth and any crowns you may have.
A dental crown isn't just a quick fix, it's vital to improve your quality of life if you have severely damaged teeth. Now that you understand what getting a crown entails and how to choose the correct option and care for it properly, you can trust us at LivWell Dentistry to ensure we fix your crown just right. Schedule an appointment with us online, or call 415-477-3700.
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