You may find yourself with a tooth that is severely discolored or damaged, either by decay or by a trauma to your mouth. If your tooth has been weakened to the point that it is in danger; or if the tooth is needed to hold a dental bridge in place or cover an implant, your dentist will suggest that you get a dental crown, which will cover your entire tooth.
Your tooth may require a root canal before a crown is placed, or the dentist may need to rebuild the foundation of your tooth to hold the crown. In many cases, the dentist will need to file the tooth down for the crown to fit. The dentist will take an impression or digital image of the area, which will be sent to the dental lab which will create your crown. You will receive a temporary crown to wear during that time. When the crown is ready, the dentist will remove the temporary crown and place the new one.
On average, a crown will last around seven years, although in some cases, crowns have lasted for 40 years. To make sure that your crown lasts, you will need to brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day. You should make certain that you see your dentist at least twice a year for your regular cleaning and exam. The dentist will not only check your teeth and mouth for problems but will also check your crown to ensure that it is in good shape and is not being affected by decay and gum disease.
If you have a problematic tooth, you can make an appointment to see our dentist, Dr. Sean Ferguson. If you live in the Concord, North Carolina, area, call 704-786-8317 for an appointment at Ferguson & Associates, DDS. We look forward to seeing you soon.