Dr. J Stephen Hoard offers dental crowns in New Bern, NC, to help patients restore their natural smile without tooth extraction. Dental crowns allow patients with damaged teeth to keep their natural teeth intact, which means faster recovery and less hassle. Dr. Hoard shares his top 3 things to know about dental crowns and how they work to keep your healthy, natural smile in place.
1. Dental crowns reduce pain
Dental crowns are most often used to complete a restorative dental treatment, such as after a root canal or tooth fracture. Although teeth have a solid exterior, their interior is made of tissue that can become infected and needs to be removed to stop tooth pain. Once this tissue, called the pulp, is removed, the tooth needs to be sealed to prevent further tooth sensitivity or additional infection. A dental crown is what seals the tooth to prevent sensitivity and eliminate pain after tooth decay is treated.
2. Crowns are custom-made to fit your individual smile
While this may sound complicated, treating a damaged tooth with a dental crown is straightforward. Once the restorative treatment is complete, Dr. Hoard will shape your tooth so the crown fits securely. Next, he will take a mold of the tooth to create your custom dental crown, which will match the size, hue, and shape of your natural teeth. You will receive a temporary crown while your crown is prepared in a dental laboratory. After about two weeks, your dental crown is ready to be placed on your tooth, becoming a permanent part of your smile.
3. Crowns can restore your smile for a long time
Dental crowns are used to complete root canals or repair damage, but they can also be used to help you achieve your cosmetic dentistry goals. Some patients choose dental crowns to correct discoloration, staining, cracks, and misalignment, and dentists use crowns for dental bridges to anchor surrounding teeth. A key benefit of crowns is that they last a long time, even longer than veneers or cosmetic bonding, which means that you can keep your smile healthy for many years.
If you are ready to learn how dental crowns can support your unique oral health goals, contact Dr. Hoard online or call our New Bern, NC dental office at (252) 507-0373 today.
