What You Should Know About Dental Crowns

Dr. Richard Lachenmayr is a dental professional who understands the various steps needed to minimize oral health issues. For instance, he can provide dental crowns in Alpha, NJ, for patients who need them. But do you need this type of upgrade to your oral health? What exactly do they do? Let’s break down a few of the most important things that you need to know about crowns.

What are Crowns?

Crowns are a customized covering that goes over a damaged tooth to protect it from further damage. It can cover problems like cavities, holes, dents, and much more in a tooth. People going through various treatment options often need a crown. For example, a root canal typically ends with the dentist sealing the damaged tooth at the top to prevent it from getting infected again.

Crowns usually come in a metal or a porcelain material. The former provides a coherent and robust sealing, while the latter looks more like your tooth and seals a variety of problems reasonably well. Crowns are typically made either in the dentist’s office or at an outside lab. For example, dentists can fit dental crowns in Alpha, NJ, over a myriad of different teeth using the simple process outlined below.

How Crowns are Fit

Dentists can create and fit a crown over an individual’s tooth using a few simple steps. Typically, this process takes a few visits to finish. These visits include measuring the tooth and then installing the crown. During these trips to the dentists, these professionals:

1. Take impressions and digital scans of your mouth
2. Use the prints to create the crown to the proper size and shape
3. Carefully install the crown on top of the damaged tooth
4. Provide care and maintenance that keeps the crown strong

After installation, you need to visit a dentist at least twice a year and wear a mouthguard to prevent grinding damage. You may also want to quit smoking or drinking, as these behaviors may damage your crown. Regular brushing and flossing should keep it strong from damage issues.

Help is Available

Dr. Lachenmayr can provide you with more than help with dental crowns in Alpha, NJ. He also understands how to take other types of dental care steps, such as installing bridges, performing oral surgery, and much more. So if you’re struggling with poor oral health and want to stay in great shape, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (908) 454-8400 to get started towards recovery.