One of the most common procedures dentists practice for restoring and protecting teeth is through dental crowns. Approximately 2.3 million implant-supported crowns are made annually and even more go on top of existing teeth. If you don’t know what crowns are for or why they’re important, your dentist in Mount Pleasant is here to help.
Don’t be afraid or feel disappointed if you need a dental crown in Mount Pleasant. Dentists provide them so your teeth can be protected. Keep reading to find out how crowns can save your smile.
When You Would Need a Dental Crown
A dental crown or cap is designed to fit on top of teeth that have suffered decay or cracked into multiple pieces. In this case, fillings are not enough to salvage the spot and a dental crown is needed instead. If a deep crack is at risk of splitting a tooth, it may even need to be extracted entirely.
A cracked tooth doesn’t just occur from tooth decay however. It can just as easily occur from an accident or forced trauma. If you fall and bite down too hard or experience a sports injury and your tooth becomes cracked, it may become a dental emergency to protect your tooth.
How Dental Crowns Protect Your Teeth
Crowns work by covering the vulnerable parts of your affected tooth. Teeth that are cracked open as a result of decay need to be capped, especially if fillings aren’t enough to replace the area. Bacteria can easily enter your tooth and reach the dentin and pulp inside where many nerve endings lie. This could result in extreme pain, an infection, and more dental bills if not addressed early.
A crown can also hold together broken parts of a tooth together for an extended period of time. If this crown comes out, it will need to be replaced to prevent the rest of your tooth from falling out. Temporary crowns are also used in between visits if you plan on getting dental implants in Mount Pleasant.
Crowns Go on Top of Dental Implants
When you get a dental implant, a titanium post is placed directly into your jawbone. During this process, the post undergoes osseointegration, which basically is the process of a load-bearing implant creating a structural and functional connection with living bone.
During this process, the implant needs time to heal. That is where the temporary crown comes in. It’s placed on top of the abutment (the screw holding the implant and crown together) and stays there until the implant is fully fused. Only after that period is a permanent crown placed and treated like a natural tooth.
To learn more about dental crowns and their many uses, schedule an appointment with your dentist in Mount Pleasant today!
About the Author
Virginia L. Gregory, DMD, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She eventually received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. Additionally, she holds a Master of Science degree in speech pathology. To learn more about her practice, contact her at (843) 884-8884 or visit her website.