If you have cracked, chipped, or broken one of your pearly whites, it is crucial that you see your dentist as soon as possible. Although the injury may not look severe, ignoring the problem can lead to the damage worsening. This can cause more severe harm and may even put you at risk of infection. A dental crown can be placed to repair and strengthen your natural tooth. Today your Sunny Smiles Dentistry of El Paso, TX, is here to explain the process of this restoration technique.
How Tooth Injuries Happen
As mentioned above, your tooth can be harmed in different ways. Trauma to the mouth from sports-related injuries, biting into food that is too hard, chronic tooth grinding, and more can lead to cracking or chipping a tooth. This can be stressful, especially when you do your best to care for your smile. While not all of these can be prevented, there are some steps you can take to protect the integrity of your grin.
If you have bruxism, talk to your dentist about using an oral appliance. This can help protect your teeth from mashing against each other as you sleep, and therefore keep them from wearing down. Limit the amount of hard foods that you eat and try to avoid eating meat that has the bone. During contact sports, consider using a mouthguard to protect your smile.
Placing A Crown
If an injury occurs to one of your teeth, come in for an appointment as soon as possible. Your dentist will assess the damage and decide the best plan of action. For a crown, the dentist will take an impression of your smile and send this off to a lab. In the meantime, a temporary fixture may be placed to protect your pearly whites. Once the permanent piece comes in, the temporary one will be removed, the tooth will be prepared, and the new crown will be bonded in place.
This is typically made of a material like porcelain and can be made to blend in with the rest of your smile. They are also crafted to last a lifetime with proper care. Remember to continue proper oral hygiene at home and visit your dentist as usual following the placement of your restoration.
Other Times A Crown Is Used
This restorative piece is also used during other treatments such as root canals or implants. After the decayed part of the pulp is removed during a root canal, the tooth will be filled and then a crown will be placed. This helps keep your tooth strong and improves your ability to chew. An implant consists of a post, an abutment, and a crown on top.
Do Not Wait To Repair Damage
If you have harmed your tooth, do not wait until your next appointment. Schedule an emergency visit with Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, at 915.759.7000.