An interesting fact about your teeth is that they don’t repair or rebuild themselves when damaged like other parts of your body. If a tooth’s structure is damaged, you have to proactively repair it and protect it from bacterial infection and further injury. Dental crowns are among the most beneficial tools in the pursuit of dental restoration, and thanks to the impressive advancements of today’s dentistry, you can now have a protective crown custom-crafted and skillfully placed over your tooth in less time than ever before. Austin dentist, Dr. Van Wicklen, introduces you to today’s dental crowns by answering common questions about the innovative dental restorations.
All About Dental Crowns
What’s the purpose of a dental crown?
Shaped to mimic the visible part of your tooth, dental crowns are often referred to as caps because they cover and protect the top part of your tooth. Typical applications include right after a root canal procedure where a significant amount of tooth structure is removed, or to cover a cracked/fractured tooth to prevent it from breaking apart completely. Unfortunately, if a crack extends to your tooth’s roots, a dental crown will not be able to save it, and it will likely need extraction to prevent harming the surrounding gums and jawbone.
What are typical dental crowns made of?
Your dental health includes more than the proper health and function of your teeth and gums; your level of pride in your smile is an equally important focus in most of today’s restorative dental procedures. Taking your smile’s appeal into consideration, most of today’s dental crowns are crafted from life-like dental porcelain that closely mimics your tooth enamel’s ability to reflect light. Crowns that are meant to withstand greater force, such as those for back molars, can also be fused to metal for additional strength and support.
How long does the procedure take?
Typically, placing a dental crown takes at least two visits; one involving a thorough examination and measurements to craft your crown, and the other to place the permanent crown once it’s been crafted. With our CEREC single-visit crowns, however, Dr. Van Wicklen can minimize the treatment time required to restore your tooth. The Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic, or CEREC, allows Dr. Van Wicklen to craft and place your dental crown in just one visit without the need to send your crown’s specifications to a dental lab.
Ask Your Austin Dentist About Innovative Dental Crowns
If you have a severely diseased or damaged tooth and would like to learn more about single-visit dental crowns, speak with your Austin dentist as soon as possible. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Van Wicklen by calling 512-448-3131. Located in the 78704 area, we proudly serve the cities of Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Bastrop, Bee Cave, Cedar Park, and all surrounding communities.
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