If one or more of your teeth develops a cavity or becomes damaged as the result of biting down on a hard object such as an ice cube, you might benefit from a restoration like a dental crown. At his practice in Newberg, Oregon, experienced family and general dentist Kyle D. Kern, DMD, regularly uses dental crowns to restore his patients’ permanent teeth. To see if you’re a candidate, call the office or use the online booking tool to request your appointment today.
A dental crown is a type of oral restoration designed to cover a chipped, cracked, or badly decaying tooth. Crowns are incredibly versatile and can address issues with your front or back teeth. In addition to protecting your affected tooth from further damage, a dental crown restores your tooth to its near-original size, shape, and strength.
In a perfect world, your permanent teeth would stay healthy and problem-free your entire life. However, that isn’t always possible. Accidents and injuries happen, and wear-and-tear occurs as you get older.
Dr. Kern might recommend a dental crown to:
He might also recommend a dental crown if you undergo a root canal. Following root canal treatment, your tooth is fragile and requires extra protection.
At his practice, Dr. Kern offers a variety of dental crowns, including:
To determine the type of dental crown you’ll most benefit from, Dr. Kern considers several factors, including your tooth’s location, the position of your gum tissue, the color of your surrounding teeth, and how much of your natural tooth remains. After considering all of these factors, he makes a treatment recommendation based on your unique needs.
Receiving a dental crown usually takes two separate appointments. At your initial consultation, Dr. Kern takes a series of oral X-rays, does an oral exam, and asks you about any symptoms you’re experiencing. Next, he administers a local anesthetic and carefully files down your tooth in preparation for the crown. After filing your tooth, Dr. Kern takes impressions of your tooth using dental putty.
Finally, Dr. Kern sends your impressions to a dental laboratory that manufactures your crown. About a week later, you return to the office, and Dr. Kern places and bonds the permanent crown to your teeth, a process that usually takes no longer than 60 minutes.
Crowns won’t last forever, but if you brush and floss regularly and avoid bad habits like biting your fingernails or chewing on ice, they can last for between 10-15 years.
To see if you’re a candidate for a dental crown, make an appointment with Dr. Kern today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.