San Diego cosmetic dentists use dental crowns to solve a number of dental dilemmas. A dental crown is a strong, natural-looking permanent tooth restoration that covers the top of the damaged tooth.
San Diego family dentists recommend crowns to remedy the following problems:
- A broken tooth with decay
- An ill-fitting existing crown
- A decayed tooth that has lost significant tooth structure
- A tooth that has had a root canal
- A tooth that is too small or misshapen
- A tooth that causes a bite problem
Before your San Diego dentist can attach the crown to your tooth, we must prepare the tooth. Family dentists often apply a local anesthetic so you won’t feel pain during the prepping. Your dentist will remove decay, if any, and shape the tooth to receive the crown. Then a mold is taken of the prepped tooth and surrounding teeth.
A temporary crown is then placed on the tooth to protect it until you return to your San Diego cosmetic dentistry office to receive the permanent restoration. The patient needs to be careful while wearing the temporary crown. Vigorous brushing or flossing can displace the crown or damage the exposed soft tissue. The San Diego dental crown patient should also refrain from eating extremely hard foods like nuts or sticky candy.
The mold of your teeth is sent to a San Diego dental lab where your crown is built. Dental crowns are fabricated in three varieties: tooth colored crowns made of resin or porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and solid metal crowns. Each type has its pros and cons. Your San Diego cosmetic dentist Dr. Marcos Ortega DDS will choose the best crown material for your particular tooth.
What if you need a permanent dental restoration for both the top and root of your tooth? A dental implant is your answer.
For more information about complete dental restorations and other cosmetic dental solutions, call Marcos Ortega DDS at 619-295-4545 today.