As the years go by, minor alignment issues can develop, altering the angle of one or two of your teeth and making them meet improperly in your bite pattern. At first, this aberration in your dentition is minor and might even go without notice. Over time, it’s possible for one tooth to cause excess wear and tear on another. This process, which is known as dental attrition, can sometimes affect a large amount of the tooth, making a filling restoration unfeasible.
For a tooth in a condition like this, Dr. Raymond del Castillo might recommend a dental crown. This is a standard dental restoration that effectively replicates the entire tooth enamel layer and it is cast in a special material that will resist future attrition and potential tooth decay.
To securely anchor it in your mouth, your dentist will use a drill to remove any existing tooth enamel. This will leave behind an abutment made of healthy dentin that is surrounding the softer internal pulp and root of the tooth.
One of our highly trained technicians will cast an impression of the abutment and the positions of all relative teeth in the area. Then your dentist will secure a temporary crown over the abutment to protect it while our off-site dental lab technician works to create the final crown.
We will call you to schedule a second appointment when your new crown is ready. This appointment will be brief as the temporary crown will be removed and your new crown will be cemented into place.
If you live in the Coral Gables, Florida, area and you have a tooth suffering excess wear and tear, you should call 305-443-4713 to have it examined and treated at our dental office.