In the 2018 Major League Baseball World Series the Houston Astros won their first world championship. Thus, they were crowned as the top baseball team on the planet. As hard as it may be to believe, there is a similarity between that crown and the ones on your teeth. It could be said that every day your teeth overcome obstacles like food particles, digestive acids and the compounds that make up the liquids you drink (other than water). One of the ways that this is accomplished is with dental crowns in Memorial. Read on as your dentist explains more about them.
What is a Dental Crown?
The crown is the part that is visible above the gumline and fits over the other parts of your tooth like a crown sits on the head of royalty. Unlike a monarch, though, your crown actually has to work. Using its outer coating – the enamel – it fights off intruders and bacteria that would otherwise seek to destroy your tooth. Therefore, if it’s damaged, the health of your entire tooth is compromised.
Replacing the Crown
Your crown can be damaged by the following:
- Impact to your mouth that causes a fracture
- Teeth grinding that wears down the crown
- Severe tooth decay that requires a root canal
- Tooth loss
The above scenarios would all require a crown replacement to fully restore the tooth to normal. Whereas the procedure to replace a crown normally takes a couple of visits, with CEREC the process is much faster.
How the CEREC System Works
Imagine being able to have a root canal and full restoration done in one visit. Well it’s possible with the CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) method. Instead of waiting on a lab to make your custom-made crown, your dentist will use an in-office milling machine to create your tooth-colored restoration from dental-grade ceramic.
So instead of a two-week wait time to be fully restored, you’ll have a brand-new crown in roughly an hour.
How to Care for Your New Crown
Once your tooth is fully restored with your new crown, you want to make sure that it’ll last. Your dentist in Memorial suggests that you make a point to practice excellent oral hygiene to prevent bacteria growth and to maintain regular visits for a cleanings and checkups. They will ensure that your mouth, teeth and gums are clean and that your crown is in the best shape possible.
Your oral health is one of the most valuable gifts that you can have. To protect yours, reach out to your dentist to schedule a preventive care visit today!
About the Author
A graduate of the University of Texas Dental School, Dr. Mark Gray has nearly four decades of experience practicing dentistry. An authority in the field, he leads the Memorial chapter of the CEREC Study Club and remains involved in several other professional organizations. Dr. Gray restores smiles in one day at his private practice and can be reached for more information through his website.