Dental Crowns

Restore the Health and Beauty of your Smile with Dental Crowns

At Sequoyah Dental Arts, Drs. Pablo Foncea, Mariko McCall, Kathryn Beil, and our team offer many restorative treatments to repair your smile to a beautiful and healthy state. Dental crowns are one of the most common restorations we offer here at our Knoxville, Tennessee office. A dental crown can be used to restore a tooth severely weakened due to extensive decay or has undergone root canal therapy. Dental crowns can also be used for cosmetic purposes as they can cover up issues, including discolored teeth. A dental crown is designed to cover the visible portion of a tooth so that it is not exposed to further damage. You can walk away with a dental crown in just a couple of easy appointments!

Common Reasons for A Dental Crown

Dental crowns are a solid restoration choice for many dental issues. Some issues which a dental crown can assist with include:

1. Tooth with Extreme Decay – Cavity Too Large for Filling

When decay is allowed to spread through a tooth, it will eventually need to be removed. If there is extensive decay, the result is a tooth severely weakened due to how much material has been removed. When a tooth lacks adequate healthy enamel and dentin to protect it from further damage, a crown can be used to provide protection. Seeing our team regularly for examinations and dental cleanings can help prevent this, but if you find yourself in a situation where a tooth has extreme decay, a dental crown will likely be the next step.

2. A Tooth Which Has Undergone a Root Canal

When you have a tooth that requires a root canal, what results is a tooth that has had its inner chamber emptied of its pulp. A tooth’s pulp consists of nerves and blood vessels that can become infected due to decay. When a tooth undergoes root canal therapy, what results is a tooth that is severely weakened. Covering a tooth with a crown after a root canal is standard practice to help protect the tooth from any further damage. It will allow you to use that tooth normally.

3. A Broken Tooth

When a tooth breaks or cracks, it could lead to a weakened tooth. This depends on how much of the tooth is lost. A fractured tooth that requires a dental crown is usually seen in the upper and lower molars due to the greater forces these teeth experience due to daily activities such as chewing food. Being proactive and seeing a dentist when you have a broken tooth can save the tooth from needing further work, such as a root canal, in the future.

4. Covering a Dental Implant

When you get a dental implant, the implant itself is underneath the gum line, leaving the attached abutment above the gum line, but there is no tooth. This is where a dental crown comes into play. We attach a dental crown to the abutment to mimic the look and function of a natural tooth.

Dental crowns can also be used in a cosmetic manner. They can conceal tooth discoloration or be crafted to close a minor gap between two teeth. Dental crowns are incredibly versatile and can fix so much!

Receiving Your Dental Crown

When you visit our dental office for a dental crown, the first thing that will be done is an examination to see if your tooth is stable enough to support a dental crown. Once this is determined, impressions will be taken and sent to an off-site lab where your crown will be crafted. You will leave this first appointment with a temporary crown in place. When you return for a second appointment, we will have your custom-crafted dental crown, your temporary crown will be removed, and your permanent crown will undergo some final touches before being cemented over your tooth. You will walk away from this second appointment with a fully restored smile!

Dental crowns are a popular treatment used to restore and protect a weakened tooth. They are great for some cosmetic purposes as well! If you are ready to learn more about dental crowns and are prepared to schedule an appointment to receive one, please call Sequoyah Dental Arts at 865 973-9899.