Whenever you injure one of your teeth, whether to physical trauma or a decay process, it is essential to have it examined by your dentist. It can be challenging to determine when harm is developing, so by attending your regular checkups, you allow your dentist to inspect your entire mouth for signs of injury. At your checkup, your dental team will clean your smile to remove plaque and tartar contributing to decay by destroying your protective enamel. During your examination, we will let you know when you need a restoration to return the protective layer that keeps out oral bacteria. When a cavity or broken tooth is too large for repair with a dental filling, we can place a dental crown to cap your tooth completely above your gums.
At your Ankeny, IA dental practice, we suggest alerting us whenever you have an injury to one of your teeth. Any damage that breaks through the protection of your enamel can increase your risk for cavities as well as infections of your pulp. By learning how restoring your tooth can protect your smile from future harm, you can feel secure with our repair work!
How Bacteria Wear Down Your Tooth
While physical accidents can crack open one of your teeth, tooth decay is a more common culprit that everyone’s mouth is susceptible to. Sometimes the size or location of your cavity is outside the scope of treatment with a dental filling. When this happens, we can design a dental crown that returns the original shape and natural shade of a real-life tooth. By returning the stability to withstand the strength when you chew, your restoration can also help bring your bite back into alignment. To prevent the rest of your teeth from experiencing additional harm, you can focus on your oral hygiene to remove plaque daily. By regularly brushing and flossing, you clean away the remnants of your meals that combine with oral bacteria to form this sticky film. Because your diet can contribute to decay, avoid sugary foods and snacks that bacteria love. Staying on top of these habits and attending your routine dental checkups will help you maintain a healthy smile.
Placing Your New Crown
We will begin by numbing your tooth with a local anesthetic. We then remove decaying or damaged material to prepare the tooth for crown placement. Using a strong bonding material, we attach your crown and inspect it to make sure it fits properly in your bite. At following visits, we will examine its placement in your mouth to see its continued stability.
Speak With Your Ankeny, IA Dentist About Restoring Your Injured Tooth
If you have a dental injury that is too large for a filling, we can place a crown to restore your smile. If you would like to learn more about this treatment, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your Ankeny, IA dentist’s office at (515) 965-0230 to schedule a visit.
