A broken tooth or deep decay are two possible reasons your dentist will treat you with a dental crown. Depending on exactly what is going on, and which tooth is affected, there are different options that your dental provider can select. They are all crowns but have some differences.
Inlay and Onlay Treatment
When a back tooth is damaged or decayed; decay is too advanced to be effectively treated with a tooth-colored filling, but most of the tooth is viable, the choice for treatment may be an inlay or onlay.
These are crowns used to treat back teeth only; are a more conservative option than a full crown, and allow your dentist to maintain the integrity of the tooth as only a minimal portion of the tooth is removed to place this restoration.
An inlay is required when the center of a back tooth calls for treatment; an onlay is used when one or more cusps of a tooth are involved.
Full Crown
A full dental crown literally caps the tooth with only a small portion of the base of the tooth left intact to attach the crown. A full crown is employed when the tooth has been fractured or decayed so severely that to attempt another filling would most certainly break the tooth.
When any crown is called for, your dentist will prepare the tooth by shaving down the amount of tooth required. An impression will be taken; the dental lab will fabricate the restoration using the impressions and the information provided by the dentist.
A temporary restoration will be placed while the crown is being made. On seat day, the temporary will be removed and the crown will be tried in. Adjustments can be made if needed. Once fit and appearance are approved, the restoration will be cemented in place.
Caring For Your Crown
Once your crown has been cemented in place, you are free to enjoy your favorite foods as your tooth will have been completely repaired. Sticky foods like caramel could loosen or dislodge your crown, so caution should be observed.
Caring for your crown is the same as the care you provide for all your teeth … brush twice every day with a fluoridated toothpaste; floss daily to remove what your toothbrush missed, and visit us at Westside Dental Group every six months for cleaning and dental exam.