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Show Your Teeth Some Respect

Think about how many times per day you rely on your teeth. You use them to chew breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. You press your tongue against them to make certain sounds when you speak. There's really no doubt about it — your teeth are important, and they deserve your respect. You can pay them that respect by visiting your dentist for regular cleaning and checkup appointments. You should also call at the first sign of dental pain, tooth discoloration, or other oral health changes. Read more about dentists and dentistry here on this blog, where we dive deep into related topics.

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Show Your Teeth Some Respect

What You Should Know About Dental Crowns If You Need One

by April Myers

Are you in need of a dental crown but aren't sure what is involved? Here is what you should know about dental crowns.

Why Is A Dental Crown Necessary?

If you have a problem with a tooth, such as the need for a large filling, it is possible that the outside of the tooth will start to crack soon. Your dentist will want to save the tooth if possible, so they may recommend a dental crown in order to fix it. The goal is to preserve the natural tooth and the root that is in your jaw, since this improves jawbone stimulation that keeps your mouth healthy. Retaining a natural tooth also helps prevent the surrounding teeth from drifting to fill in the gap.

Will A Lot Of The Natural Tooth Need To Be Removed?

Part of the process of installing a dental crown will require removing part of the natural tooth. This is necessary to make room for the crown and to maintain a natural bite. The dentist will only need to remove a small amount of the top chewing surface of the tooth to make space for the dental crown. The process of removing part of the tooth will also create a smooth surface that will help the crown stick to the natural tooth. 

A smaller portion of the rest of the tooth is also removed to make room for the side of the crown. Since the side of the tooth is not a chewing surface, the crown doesn't need to be as thick to prevent the crown from breaking in these areas. Measurements will be carefully checked to ensure that enough of the tooth has been removed. 

How Is The Crown Sized To The Tooth?

The dentist will push the gums out of the way and take a digital image of the tooth. This digital image is used to record the exact size of the tooth so that a lab can make a crown. Special digital imaging powder will be placed on the tooth to help create a 3D model, which will ensure that the crown that is created is the perfect size for your mouth and will fit between the two surrounding teeth. 

Once the crown is finished, the dentist will have you come back to their office to place the crown on the tooth. They'll check that there is enough room for you to floss between the crown and the surrounding teeth and that is not resting above the gum line. 

To learn more, contact a dentist like Gregory S Rutherford, DDS.

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