Do I Really Need A Dental Crown?

Dental crowns are tooth caps used to restore a tooth to its full look and function.

If your Mission Viejo dentist told you that you need a dental crown, you likely want to know if it’s necessary.

Keep reading to find out the top things you should ask your dentist before getting a custom dental crown:

Questions to Ask Your Dentist Before You Get a Crown 

Dental crowns aren’t always necessary. However, if your dentist recommends it, then it’s most likely the best option to restore your oral health.

Still, it doesn’t hurt to ask the following questions and have all the information: 

1. What is the crown treatment process like? 

Dental crowns are cemented over a natural tooth, but before that can happen, the tooth must be resized. 

Your dentist will drill the tooth and remove the enamel so that the crown can fit on top. This procedure is permanent, as tooth enamel doesn’t grow back, so you won’t be able to remove the crown and go back to your natural smile.

2. Do I have other options? 

Sometimes, dental crowns can be successfully replaced with:

• Inlays are a type of partial crown used to restore the middle portion of a tooth.
• Onlays are similar to inlays but are used to cover some exterior area of the tooth as well.
• Veneers are thin shells that cover the front of the teeth.

Whether you can opt for these alternatives depends on the extent of the tooth damage and your smile expectations.

3. Can I wait to get a dental crown?

Some dental crowns may need to be cemented as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your tooth. In many cases, dentists will place a temporary crown to protect your tooth until the permanent one is finished by a lab.

But other patients may have more time to make this decision. You can ask your dentist if you can wait and explore your options.

4. When is a dental crown necessary?

Dental crowns are usually recommended in the following cases:

• After a root canal or large cavity
• Badly cracked or chipped tooth
• A broken or fractured tooth
• Worn-down tooth
• Weak tooth (due to enamel erosion), etc.

Dental crowns are necessary when other, less invasive procedures may not be enough. For example, fillings are the most common restoration method used after treating a cavity. But if the cavity was large, it could mean you lost too much tooth tissue for the filling to restore. A dental crown is more appropriate in this case, as it can restore both the strength and look of your tooth. 

Discover Your Options at Oasis Dental

See Dr. Paul Ferraro for a short consultation to learn if dental crowns are the right solution for you or if you can tap into any alternatives.

Request a visit to Oasis Dental online, or call us at (949) 364-6110 for more information.