Dental crown from Sunbury dentist prevents loss of patient’s tooth

One of the most common dental injuries is a chipped, cracked or broken tooth. This is most commonly caused by sporting injury or some other head trauma, but can also be the result of simply chewing something hard. These types of injuries can be very painful but they can also lead to longer-term dental health problems if not repaired quickly. Initially, the dentist will try to repair the damage with composite dental bonding, made from tooth-coloured resin. If the damage is small this will usually be sufficient, but if the damage to the tooth is significant, the dentist may need to apply a dental crown in order to preserve its integrity and save the tooth.

Dental crowns can also be used for other dental repairs such as those caused by tooth decay. If decay has destroyed a tooth so badly, to the point that it is unable to support a filling, then a dentist will use a dental crown to support the tooth and shield it from any further infection and ultimately loss. In a similar way, after a root canal procedure when the cavity has been filled a dentist may use a dental crown to further strengthen the hollowed tooth and to restore its natural appearance.

Because dental crowns involve grinding down the existing tooth before they can be fitted, dentists have been reluctant to use them unless absolutely necessary. But with the advancements in dental technology over the past twenty years, dental crowns can now be manufactured that are so thin they can fit over existing teeth and dental work.

Modern crowns can be manufactured from a single piece of porcelain and can be as thin as a contact lens. This translucent appearance gives the illusion of real tooth enamel, and for the more extroverted patient, there is always the option of a gold or silver crown.

Dental crowns are now manufactured using the very latest in computer aided design and technology, meaning the dentist can use digital x-rays and 3D imaging to create a veneer to microscopic levels of accuracy. Production time has also been reduced from days or even weeks down to minutes, with crowns now designed, manufactured and fitted in a single appointment.

The dental crown is a strong and versatile dental repair that can be used both to save a tooth and enhance its cosmetic appearance. If you are suffering from a damaged tooth, or think a crown could improve your smile, make an appointment with a Sunbury dentist today.