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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If you are getting a crown placed on your tooth, you may need to go through the steps of an impression, temporary try-in, and more before the final restoration is placed. One possible step your dentist may need to take is doing a core buildup. Read on to learn more about core buildups and why some people need them before they get a crown.
What Is Core Buildup?
Ideally, after your dentist removes the decayed portions of your enamel or performs a root canal, you'll still have enough remaining structure to support the crown. Some patients, however, will not have enough enamel left in height or width to support a crown. These patients will need a core buildup. The core is the main body of the tooth structure (excluding the root). Like the name suggests, your dentist will build up the area around the core enamel so that there is a sufficient base to support a crown.
What Is Core Buildup Made of?
In the past, core buildup material was made of amalgam or other metal-based substances. However, composite materials (plastic-ceramic compounds) tend to be more popular today since there is less preparation required with the dental drill; and composites tend to adhere better to crowns and dental cements. If you are getting a crown after a root canal, then your dentist may place a fiber pin or post in the center of the tooth where the access channel was to the tooth root. The pin adds more stability for composite core buildup.
If There's So Little Tooth Left, Should the Dentist Just Extract It?
If there is so little tooth left, you may wonder why your dentist would go to the trouble of doing a core buildup. Should you just have the tooth extracted? However, there is a good reason to opt for a crown and a core buildup over an extraction.
Your jaw bones are strengthened when stress forces travel through the tooth root. If you have a tooth extracted, then stress forces cannot travel through the tooth root and keep the jaw bone strong. This means people who have had extractions tend to have weaker jaw bone. With an extraction, you would also need to find an alternative restoration, like an implant or denture, which could be more costly than a crown placement.
How Long Will It Take for Your Dentist to Apply Core Buildup?
It shouldn't take very long for your dentist to apply core buildup. Everyone is different, but it may take between about 15 to 30 minutes depending on how much material needs to be applied, if a pin needs to be placed, and how fast your dentist works. You can get a core buildup done at the same appointment that your dentist places your temporary crown. The temporary crown will fit over the core buildup. After your permanent crown is fabricated at a dental lab, you'll need to come in for a second appointment where your dentist will place the final product over the core buildup.
To learn more, contact a resource like Wallington Dental.
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