When you notice damage to one of your teeth, it can have various causes such as physical trauma and tooth decay. While a sudden injury can be unpredictable, staying on top of your routine dental exam schedule can help you detect the signs of decay before they become serious. By receiving a professional cleaning, your hygienist removes the plaque and tartar deposits that can erode your enamel and cause cavities. When we do notice the signs of decay, we can provide a restoration to repair the protective outer layer of your tooth and support its bite. If your injury grows too large for treatment with a filling, we could place a dental crown to cover your tooth entirely above the gum line.
At your Ankeny, IA dental practice, we encourage you to visit whenever you notice damage to one of your teeth. Any injury that breaks your enamel can increase your cavity risk or lead to a painful infection. By learning more about the benefits of restorative treatments such as dental crowns, you can rest comfortably knowing we can repair your tooth!
A Leading Cause Of Dental Damage
Depending on their size and location, a cavity can form on the surface of your tooth that is too large for treatment with a dental filling. When this happens, a dental crown can return the natural shape and shade of your tooth and offer significant strength to withstand the force of your bite. To prevent the need for repairing your tooth, a preventative attitude towards oral hygiene focuses on removing the plaque deposits that cause decay in the first place. By brushing and flossing each day, you clean the combination of oral bacteria and food particles that combine to produce these plaques. Paying attention to your diet can also reduce sugary drinks and food that bacteria crave. Combining these habits with regular dental checkups can go a long way in maintaining your oral health.
Placing A Dental Crown
To begin treatment, we will numb the affected area with a local anesthetic to prevent pain during your procedure. We then remove damaged material and clean your tooth before placing the crown. Modern materials allow us to shade it to match your natural smile while providing strong functional support. After placement, continue practicing your oral hygiene routine as before. At your following checkups, we will inspect the status of your crown as part of our normal examination process to verify its continued strength in your mouth.
Talk To Your Ankeny, IA Dentist About Restoring Your Injured Tooth
When your tooth is injured beyond repair with a simple filling, a crown can return strength and beauty to your smile! If you would like to learn more about receiving care for a dental injury, please contact your Ankeny, IA dentist’s office at (515) 965-0230 to schedule a visit.
