West:
West:
Root canals can save a tooth from decay, but they can also make it weak. A porcelain crown solidifies the tooth and maintains its integrity after it has been destroyed, by either tooth decay or from a trauma.
When the pulp inside a tooth is infected or no longer living, Dr. Roberts at Adams Dental Group can treat the tooth through a root canal by removing the pulp and apply filling to replace it. When performing routine root canals; however, Dr. Roberts will drill through the tooth and then remove infected and decayed enamel, dentin and pulp. Because root canals also remove the pulp, the teeth involved can no longer function as living things. Over time, this deficit causes them to lose strength and become likely to fracture.
If your tooth needs a root canal, it probably already had a large cavity that reached the pulp chamber, where the nerve is located. Most of the time, after Dr. Roberts properly cleans the decay from the tooth and root canal treatment is completed there isn’t enough healthy dental material to restore a tooth with just a filling. It’s necessary to complete the treatment with a porcelain crown to make sure the tooth will not eventually break.
Typically most of the tooth’s original enamel is broken or gone when a tooth gets to the point of needing a crown, which means the tooth is weak. Removing more of the enamel to prepare the tooth for a filling, only makes it weaker.
Our goal is to make sure the tooth doesn’t get so weak that it splits or breaks when you use it to chew. If the tooth splits down the root, it may need to be extracted. So, most of the time, a larger filling is not the answer; especially if there are already small cracks in the enamel, which is very common.
A crown can be made out of porcelain, metal or a combination of both. It is designed to completely cover the tooth to protect the tooth and keep it from splitting.
A digital or traditional impression is taken and used to craft the crown to match the color, shade and shape of your original tooth.
The crown can be made at the lab or we can make it using our CEREC technology.
After the impression has been taken, a temporary crown will be made out of a plastic material and temporarily cemented in place. The temporary crown will only last for a couple of weeks, while your porcelain crown is being made in the lab.
If the lab makes your crown, you’ll need a second appointment. During your second appointment your porcelain crown will be fitted, trimmed and permanently cemented into place. Your original tooth will remain under your crown; however, it will be shorter and thinner.
If you want to skip the two-week wait for the finished product, you can take advantage of the CEREC technology that Dr. Roberts has available at Adams Dental Group. Read more about CEREC here: “What is a CEREC crown?”
If you had a root canal and a crown placed, you can eat normally. Your crown will protect your tooth from splitting if it becomes brittle. You can chew, brush and floss like it’s a regular tooth.
Your crown can last from 20 to 40 years, if you keep it clean and maintained. Getting a porcelain crown can be an expensive procedure; however, most insurance companies will pay for part of the cost. It’s important to remember that taking care of your mouth is an investment in being able to eat properly and stay healthy.
Did you know? A lot of skill and artistry is necessary to manufacture something that will last in the environment of your mouth. Your mouth is wet, acidic and contains bacteria.
Most of our patients are very happy that they saved their original tooth by getting a porcelain crown. Keep in mind a porcelain crown is still vulnerable to tooth decay. Brush your teeth AND restored teeth twice daily using fluoride toothpaste.
Travis A. Roberts and his experienced, friendly team at Adams Dental Group offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the Kansas City, KS area. We have two locations that are conveniently located and offer appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At Adams Dental Group, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to specialty procedures, including dental implants, dentures, endodontic or root canal treatment, teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at our East location (913) 621-3113 or at our West location (913) 296-8030 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Travis A. Roberts, DDS August 22nd, 2017
Posted In: Services | Procedures
Tags: cerec crown, porcelain crown
