Porcelain crowns are often associated with root canal therapy and only root canal therapy. The abilities of a crown go far beyond accompanying this infection-ending treatment. If you have damaged, deteriorating, or decayed teeth, getting them fixed with a porcelain crown will make life easier and limit later dental visits to tend to more complex problems, not to mention mitigating pain and discomfort.
Championing the Porcelain Crown
Dental crowns are an incredibly versatile restorative dentistry solution. There are so many functional and cosmetic complaints that can be corrected or concealed with a customized porcelain crown.
- Chipped or cracked teeth. A damaged tooth is in trouble. Even if the enamel is not horribly altered, even a hairline fracture allows room for bacteria and food particles to get inside the tooth and eat away at its pulp and root.
- Stained or discolored teeth. Not all less-than-white tooth enamel can be altered with the powerful bleaching products of professional teeth whitening. When this is the case for a specific tooth, a crown is shaded to match your enamel and blend in with your smile.
- Gaps or spaces. Sometimes a problem with an erupting permanent tooth leaves gaps in a smile, sometimes it’s just genetics that create spaces. Whatever the case, healthy teeth can usually be covered by one or more crowns to rebuild an incomplete smile.
- Misshapen teeth. Some patients have been plagued by a tooth that simply does not blend in with the rest of their teeth. Getting a crown allows for a rebuilding of misshapen tooth enamel so nothing looks wrong or incomplete.
- Weak teeth. Teeth that are made of weak enamel are already susceptible to damage, cavities, and a host of oral health problems. Crowns placed strategically add strength for a robust, long-lasting smile.
- Old dental work. A tooth that has had a filling for a long time can begin to break down after years of daily use. This problem can cause a tooth to crack and require a bigger solution than the original tooth-colored filling. Enter the porcelain crown.
Beyond Dental Anxiety
Many people are anxious about anything dental related. They don’t want to go to the dentist or spend any length of time at the dentist. They don’t want to see, smell, or hear things associated with dentistry. When you need a porcelain crown, it’s important to know that the whole process will require two to three visits to your dental office. The tooth in question must be prepped, a temporary crown put in place, the permanent crown made at a dental lab, then the final crown bonded to the treated tooth.
Comfort measures are provided as needed, from soft pillows to warm blankets to other relaxation measures. Let your dentist know what you need to feel calm and ready to get the dental care you need. Contact Chester Hill Dentistry in Rye, NY, to schedule a consultation with Dr. Chi Fu and his restorative dentistry team.