When faced with severe decay or damage, it can be difficult to determine how best to proceed. At Cochell Family Dentistry, Dr. Christel Cochell combines her passion for art and science to create and deliver custom-made dental crowns in Salem that are designed to offer maximum protection as well as aesthetic appeal. Offering solutions that ensures durability and a natural-looking appearance so that you can move forward with a fully functional, beautiful smile. Call us today to find out if you are a candidate for porcelain dental crowns.
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that simply fits over the top of a compromised tooth that she has carefully prepared. With one, Dr. Cochell can repair a large cavity, put a broken tooth back together, stabilize a cracked tooth, and even cosmetically enhance a misshapen or undersized tooth.
The process of receiving a dental crown requires at least two visits. During your first appointment, you will meet with Dr. Cochell to undergo digital imaging and tooth preparation. She will begin by administering local anesthesia to numb the particular area of your mouth. Then, she will clear away any damaged or infected portions of the tooth. Once this is complete, composite resin will be used to fill in the tooth structure, effectively sealing it and preventing bacteria from re-entering the vulnerable area.
Once the resin is hardened using a curing light, she will alter the tooth to make room for the customized dental crown. After taking impressions that will be sent to a local dental laboratory, she will apply a temporary crown that you will wear until your finalized one is ready.
Within several weeks, you will return to have the temporary crown removed and the fully customized one put into place.
Your dentist in Salem will go over the many benefits of dental crowns during your initial visit. Although the need for a crown may not be something you ever thought would happen, it’s important to remember that these uniquely designed restorations can still allow you to enjoy a healthier, fully functional smile.
Some of the most common benefits include:
Dental crowns are some of the most trusted and reliable restorations available. For years, dentists have trusted these restorations to protect vulnerable structures plagued by decay and damage. Using porcelain and metal to safeguard smiles, our team at Cochell Family Dentistry enjoys improving and repairing patients’ teeth for optimal function and aesthetics. If you are preparing to receive a dental crown but have questions, check out the answers below to some of the most common inquiries we’ve received from our patients.
No, a dental crown cannot decay itself, but the underlying tooth can. If you neglect your oral hygiene routine at home, forgo regular dental checkups and cleanings, and consume unhealthy foods over time, bad oral bacteria can develop. If severe enough, it will spread beneath the crown and target the vulnerable tooth underneath.
This is why it is crucial that you listen to your dentist in Salem when they express how important it is to maintain good oral hygiene habits, keep your six-month dental appointments, eat a healthy diet, and avoid unhealthy practices such as biting your fingernails and using your teeth as tools.
You might think you can put off your restorative dental treatment without incurring any further damage to your tooth. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and you are actually putting your smile at a higher risk for injury.
By keeping your scheduled appointment to receive a dental crown when suggested by your dentist, you will be taking a proactive step to take better care of your smile, preventing further damage and decay from reaching your vulnerable tooth. Without timely treatment, you may be faced with a serious infection that can result in root canal therapy or even extraction.
While wearing a temporary crown, you’ll need to be mindful to avoid anything hard, crunchy, or sticky, as these foods can pull or damage your temporary artificial tooth. Some of the most common foods you should plan to avoid include corn on the cob, popcorn, caramel, ice, and hard bread.
Once your permanent crown is in place, you should be able to resume eating your favorite foods.
There is a high probability that your dental insurance company will partially cover your dental crown. Only until our team can review your policy will we have a better idea, but most plans are designed to provide anywhere from 50-80% coverage for this type of restorative care. Also, the amount your insurance carrier agrees to cover will ultimately depend on if you’ve met your deductible and how much of your existing annual maximum remains.
