Even though your teeth are tough, there are still times when teeth grinding or using your teeth as tools can actually chip a tooth. Most chips are limited to the enamel layer of a tooth. Even though some can be repaired by a basic filling, there are times when your dentist, Dr. Jade Cherrington, will recommend restoring a badly chipped tooth with a dental crown in Redmond, Oregon.
A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is made from either porcelain, gold or base metal alloys. The material that Dr. Jade Cherrington recommends for your crown will be based on the tooth’s primary function and appearance in your smile.
To begin treatment, Dr. Jade Cherrington will first want to conduct a thorough examination of the tooth and take some X-rays. It’s important to assess the severity of the chip and make sure that tooth decay has not attacked the tooth.
Assuming that the interior of the tooth maintained its integrity, your dentist can then use a drill to remove the enamel layer of the tooth. This creates an abutment that will later anchor your final crown into place.
Then, your dentist will make an impression of the abutment and any corresponding teeth. The abutment will then be covered by a temporary crown and the impression will be sent to the dental lab where your final crown is made.
Dr. Jade Cherrington will call you back into Rimrock Dental of Redmond for a short second appointment when your final crown is ready. Then, he will remove the temporary crown and will cement your new crown into place.
If you have a chipped tooth, you should call our office at 541-699-4200 to schedule an appointment.