If your dentist spots a cavity during a routine dental exam, what happens next? What will it take to make sure that your tooth is safe, and that the damage done by decay does not cause lingering problems? The right approach to restorative dental work is important, as a cavity’s damage is permanent. At our Charles City, IA dentist’s office, we rely on dental fillings and dental crowns to take care of patients’ teeth when they have problems with decay. Dental crowns are used to take care of teeth when fillings cannot provide enough support for your tooth structure. The crown envelops the tooth, keeping it safe while providing assistance with biting and chewing.
Dental Decay Does Permanent Damage To Your Tooth Structure
If a cavity has formed, it will cause permanent damage to a tooth. While tooth enamel is strong, it is vulnerable to erosion over time, which can lead to irreversible harm. After this occurs, a restoration will be needed to protect the tooth from further trouble. Dental fillings are the first treatment option chosen, but they are not always capable of providing the support that you need. If more protection is required, we can use a full dental crown, or we can discuss treatment with an inlay or onlay.
Why Cavity Treatment Sometimes Involves The Placement Of A Dental Crown
You need to be able to confidently bite and chew with a tooth after cavity treatment occurs. If a filling is not able to make up for the loss of enamel in a tooth, a crown will be used to both protect it and ensure that you can bite and chew with confidence. Placing a full dental crown means completely covering the tooth with a restoration that has been made to imitate it. If this level of support is not needed, but you still require more than a filling, we can instead rely on an onlay or inlay, partial crowns that keep teeth safe.
Will A Dental Crown Affect Your Smile?
Multiple materials are used to construct dental crowns. If you are worried that people will see your restoration, you can learn about materials like porcelain and zirconia. Both porcelain and zirconia are able to imitate the appearance of healthy enamel. Zirconia is the stronger material, which means it can be better for protecting teeth that absorb more pressure when you bite and chew.
Talk To Your Charles City, IA Dentist About Cavity Treatment With A Dental Crown
Our Charles City, IA dentist’s office is ready to help patients who need to have a cavity treated with a dental crown. We can take care to minimize changes to your appearance while also finding the most conservative treatment option for protecting your tooth. To find out more, contact Central Park Dentistry at (641) 228-1115.
