Our office will be closed from December 24th until Wednesday, January 6th. Happy Holidays!
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Our office will be closed from December 24th until Wednesday, January 6th. Happy Holidays!
If you need a dental crown in Lenoir City, Lakeside Dental is here for you. Got questions or want more information about dental crowns before you schedule an appointment? You’re in the right place. In this blog, we’ll give you a comprehensive overview of crown treatment.
Dental crowns are false teeth that are designed to fit over your existing tooth structure after it’s been trimmed. They look like a hollow “shell” of a tooth, and are shaped to look and feel just like a real tooth. Typically, they are made of porcelain today, but can be made of other materials like gold and stainless steel.
Dental crowns are usually the best choice when your tooth has been severely damaged and needs to be repaired. They are usually used to treat severely-decayed teeth, broken and cracked teeth, and teeth that have been treated with root canal therapy. They are sometimes used for cosmetic purposes, but this is not as common.
The process takes just one appointment at Lakeside Dental, since we use CEREC crowns. We offer both anterior (front) and rear (posterior) crowns as part of our same-day dentistry services.
First, Dr. Blalock will numb your mouth and trim your tooth to prepare it for a crown. Then, he’ll take a digital scan of the tooth, which will be sent to the CEREC machine in our office. After this, Dr. Blalock will design your crown and load a tooth-colored block of porcelain into the CEREC machine.
Next, your crown will be sculpted out of this porcelain block. This takes only a few minutes. Once your crown is finished, Dr. Blalock will remove it from the machine and check its fit, finish, and quality to ensure it’s perfect. If everything looks good, he will bond it into place right away, completing the procedure. It takes a total of about 1-2 hours to get a crown at Lakeside Dental.
No. The crown process is totally non-invasive and will not hurt at all. Your tooth may feel a little bit sore for a few days, but that’s it. Serious pain is rare, and could indicate a complication, so schedule a follow-up if you feel pain.
Porcelain crowns usually last between 10-20 years depending on how well you care for your teeth. Make sure to schedule regular six-month visits at Lakeside Dental so that Dr. Blalock can check on your teeth and dental work and make sure everything looks good.
To care for a dental crown, all you have to do is continue to brush and floss properly. You should also eat a healthy diet, avoid sugary drinks and alcohol, and make other healthy lifestyle changes like quitting smoking or tobacco use.
If you think you need a dental crown in Lenoir City, Dr. Joseph Blalock is here to help. To get started and see if a crown is right for you, just contact us online or give us a call at 865-635-4999. We’re always accepting new patients.
