Why You Might Need a Crown

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Basically a crown is an artificial tooth made from either gold, porcelain, or base metals placed over top of a tooth that has suffered a large amount of decay, damage or is in need of cosmetic repair.

Teeth with old or multiple large fillings might require replacement with crowns. In some cases the cement holding large fillings in place might weaken or bacteria can slip into the microscopic gap between the filling and the healthy enamel causing it to fail. If there isn’t enough enamel left to hold a new filling, your dentist might recommend replacing the enamel with a crown.

Getting a crown requires two separate appointments. At the first appointment the dentist might take some X-rays of the tooth involved to get a better idea of how deep your dentin is in the tooth. Your dentist will then remove some of the remaining enamel leaving a stub called an abutment.

Your dentist will then take an impression of the abutment and the surrounding teeth, as well as the shape of your bite in that area. The abutment is covered with a temporary crown. The dentist then sends the impression to a dental lab where a new crown is made.

At your second appointment the dentist will remove the temporary crown and cement the permanent crown in place. The dentist will then check to make sure the crown fits into your bite pattern or make any minor tweaks.

If you have a tooth with fractures, a lost filling or other questions about whether or not you should get a crown, please feel free to call us at 912-354-9541 to schedule an appointment.