Joseph Van Mieghem, DDS
Family Dentist located in Lynnwood, WA
A damaged or decaying tooth is salvageable with a simple dental crown, a small cap that's easily cemented to the top of the tooth. At Joseph Van Mieghem DDS in Lynnwood, Washington, patients can get dental crowns and other restorative procedures in a comfortable, relaxed setting. Protect your oral health and book an appointment today.
Dental Crowns Q&A
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a small cap made to fit the shape of your tooth. A crown covers the top of your tooth to protect it from decay or damage.
It also helps to restore strength and integrity to the tooth and may improve the tooth’s appearance. Crowns can even prevent teeth from shifting into empty spaces or becoming misaligned.
Crowns are made from different materials, depending on the needs of the patient and the tooth in question. Sometimes they are made from stainless steel, alloy metals, porcelain, or resin. Temporary crowns sometimes are needed, too, which usually are made from acrylic or stainless steel materials.
Do I need a dental crown?
There are a variety of different circumstances that may necessitate the need for a dental crown. Some of these include:
- Protecting a decaying or cracked tooth
- Restoring integrity to a tooth with a large filling
- Supporting a dental bridge
- Covering a misshapen tooth
In children, dental crowns sometimes are needed if there is a high risk of tooth decay or if a tooth needs to be saved but cannot support a filling.
What happens during a dental crown procedure?
Typically, getting a dental crown requires two or more visits. At your first appointment, your dentist conducts a thorough examination of your tooth and may file the tooth down to shape it and prepare for the crown procedure.
After making an impression of your tooth, your dentist has a lab make a crown based on this mold. You might get a temporary crown on your first visit to protect your tooth until the permanent one is placed.
On your second visit, the permanent crown is positioned and adhered to your tooth with a bonding solution.
What are the benefits of a dental crown procedure?
Getting a dental crown can save you lots of dental work and money in the long run because it protects the vulnerable tooth from becoming more damaged and from affecting the surrounding teeth.
The dental crown procedure is easy and painless, and modern dental technology now allows many crowns to look and feel entirely natural.
To learn more, schedule an appointment with the one-click booking option.