Preparing teeth for dental crowns involves more than just ensuring a perfect fit. The dentist will work to preserve as much of the original tooth as possible, which will keep the overall structure strong and durable while working with a crown to provide the functional and aesthetic effects within the mouth. This also helps retain the gum tissue, making it easier for patients to feel comfortable and confident in the dental crown and overall usability of the tooth.

Dental crowns can be used for cosmetic purposes, to make a tooth more attractive. They are also used for functional purposes, providing the size, strength, and support for that tooth when the underlying tooth is damaged or insufficient. Dental crowns are used to cap dental implants, replacing a tooth entirely, and they are also used to cover and protect an underlying tooth that may be sensitive or in need of reinforcement, such as after a root canal or large filling. [pullquote]Preparing teeth for dental crowns involves more than just ensuring a perfect fit.[/pullquote]

After the dentist has prepared the underlying tooth by performing a root canal, filling a cavity, replacing a filling, or preserving a broken or damaged tooth, an impression is often made to allow the dental laboratory to custom design a crown for an individual patient. To allow room for a crown to be placed over an existing tooth, without creating unnecessary pressure on adjacent teeth, the dentist will prepare the surface of the tooth by sanding or filing to make the tooth smaller. This is often down with a box-like shape to make the inner-portion of the crown easier to design.

Using special tools, the dentist files away the outer surfaces of the tooth, creating the shape that will fit into the crown like interlocking puzzle pieces. An impression is taken and a model of the tooth and adjacent teeth is made from the cast of the impression. This is used to design the crown, which is often made with a ceramic composition and glazed to protect and appear like tooth enamel. A temporary crown is often placed over the shaped and prepared tooth to protect in the meantime. For more details and information about dental crowns and procedures, contact our skilled dentists at the doctor Family Dentistry today!

Dental implants offer an alternative to traditional bridges or other prosthetics, with a secure feel from the implanted root element. The implant is surgically placed within the jawbone, designed to support a replacement tooth crown or bridge, with lasting results. An implant dentist will assess each patient to determine which are good candidates for the implant procedure. If a patient is not an ideal candidate, additional procedures or alternatives may be recommended.

As with any surgical procedure, patients that are good candidates are in good overall or general health, indicating the body is capable of handling the surgical process as well as the healing process that follows. Good overall health, however, is not always an indicator of good oral health, which is another primary factor for determining a good candidate. In general, patients with consistent and sufficient oral hygiene habits have fewer occurrences of gingivitis or other inflammation and oral health conditions.

The gingiva or gum tissue needs to be healthy in order to avoid infection, inflammation, and implant rejection or other implant related issues. The dental implants will have contact with the gums and if the gums are inflamed, infected, or diseased there is an increased risk to the patient and the results. The surgical procedure generally cannot take place until the gums are healthy; likewise for other general and oral health conditions. If the gums bleed, hurt, have any swollen or abscessed areas, or other concerns, they must be treated prior to the possibility of implant surgery.

The implant dentist will also assess jawbone health for dental implants. If the jawbone is insufficient to support the implant, the dentist will usually offer options for alternative treatments or consider the possibility of a bone graft to increase the jawbone in order to support an implant. Regardless of age, patients from all walks of life benefit from dental implants and a qualified implant dentist can assess a patient, determine if the patient is a good candidate for implants, and offer treatment options or alternatives for each case. To learn more about dental implants and treatment options, contact our experienced and caring implant dentistry team at our office today!