If you have damaged a tooth, or it has had a great deal of decay that needs to be treated, it could be that you are a candidate for dental crowns. This is one of the most common types of treatment, and in Kailua-Kona, HI, Carter Yokoyama, DDS encourages all of our patients to learn about the benefits and ease with which a dental crown can be provided.
Crowns and Caps
As a preferred dentist in Kailua-Kona, we often hear the words dental crown and caps used interchangeably. This is entirely appropriate because they are indeed the same thing. It is simply that a cap is often something done as part of a cosmetic dentistry plan while dental crowns are typically thought of as a form of restorative dentistry.
The process for both is identical. Dental crowns are not like crowns worn around the head. They are more like caps (hence that other term used to describe them) that slip over the entire exposed portion of the tooth. They are made of super durable materials that allow you to use the tooth as you have always done, and without any risk of further harm or pain.
The most common reason we will suggest the use of crowns include:
- Cosmetically for teeth that are deeply stained, chipped or cracked
- When a tooth has a lot of decay and removal of the decay leaves the tooth vulnerable to breakage
- When a tooth has been severely damaged
- After a tooth has had root canal therapy
- As part of a dental implant
- When an outdated amalgam filling is replaced, it is often done with the use of a crown
- When a patient is having a dental bridge placed and using two natural teeth as anchors
As you can see, dental crowns are one of the most reliable options, and they are typically done in just two office visits. During the first, we treat the tooth by removing decay, dealing with infection and then taking a mold to ensure the new crown is esthetically and functionally acceptable. We fit you with a temporary crown and once the new, custom crown returns from the lab, we have you visit to have it bonded to the tooth. You can then use it as if it were a natural tooth.
Contact Our Kailua-Kona Dentist for Dental Crowns
If you still have some questions about dental crowns, feel free to give us a call at our Kailua-Kona, HI office at 808-322-0101. You can also use our online contact form and one of our staff will get back to you promptly.
