Dental crowns are full coverage restorations that improve your tooth’s function, appearance, and integrity. We place dental crowns at our Huntsville, AL dental office to protect brittle, damaged, or root-canaled teeth. If you have a tooth that is severely damaged, it may not be strong enough to repair with a filling. We recommend a dental crown for a tooth that is too damaged for a dental filling, but not so compromised that we need to remove it.
A dental crown looks like a tooth, but it is a protective restoration that covers the entire surface of your real tooth up to the gums.
In most cases, we make our dental crowns using porcelain materials that match your smile. For teeth that need to withstand a lot of chewing force, we may also recommend gold crowns. The location and function of your tooth determine which is most appropriate.
Protection and Restoration
Why are crowns necessary? Dr. Cook will typically recommend this comprehensive restoration if you have:
- Severe tooth decay
- A large fracture
- Been treated with a root canal
- A worn-down tooth from grinding or erosion that needs reinforcement
- A misshapen or discolored tooth that impacts the aesthetics of your smile
- A dental implant that requires a crown to restore function and appearance
What to Expect When Getting a Dental Crown in Huntsville, AL
The first part of any dental treatment is a private consultation to review your treatment plan. We’ll go over your recommended procedure, alternatives available, and a predetermination of your insurance coverage. This eliminates any confusion regarding out of pocket costs or the overall fees related to your care.
Next, we will book an appointment to prepare for your dental crown. During this appointment, Dr. Cook will numb the tooth and remove all of the damaged tooth structure. We then take a detailed impression, which is used by our lab to create a customized restoration. A temporary dental crown will cover your tooth in the meantime, to prevent any sensitivity.
In about two weeks, you’ll come back for us to try your permanent crown in and make any necessary adjustments. Once it’s ready, it is bonded permanently to your underlying tooth.
Please be sure to floss your new crown daily, to prevent bacteria from accumulating around the margins and causing new decay. We also encourage preventive cleanings every six months.
