New Life for Old Teeth

A cracked or severely worn tooth can become sensitive to heat and cold and may cause discomfort when you chew. Left unaddressed, the tooth may break and require emergency care. A crown (or “cap”) can prevent this from happening to you.

A crown is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size, to restore function and beauty. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.

Dr. Dilger will consider the location of your tooth and the stress it incurs to determine which type of crown is right for you. For most teeth, he prefers to place tooth-colored crowns. The trend in dentistry is towards reducing or eliminating metal. The All-Ceramic Crowns are state of the art. They appear very natural and have the advantage of being bonded to the tooth for strength. Since there is no metal substructure, they don't have the "black line syndrome" at the gum line. They may require more preparation of the tooth, and do need to have a stronger tooth to start with. Porcelain fused to metal crowns have been used for years, and can restore teeth that are very badly broken. They also have beautiful esthetics and are very durable. Full metal crowns, most often gold, are used in areas where there is not enough room for tooth colored crowns.

To place a crown, the damaged portion of your tooth is removed and the tooth is shaped to hold the crown. Then a dental impression is taken, and a temporary crown may be placed. Our lab, located right here in Salem, will fabricate your permanent crown from the finest materials. 

At your second appointment your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and your new crown will be carefully placed. We use several solutions to clean the tooth to insure that the tooth is as close to sterile as we can get it, as this prevents post-operative sensitivity, helps reduce recurrent decay, helps the crown stay on longer, reduces the incident of Root Canal Therapy and makes the crown last longer. We then carefully check to make sure the spacing and bite are accurate. We will also review the health of the gum tissue around the new crown, and review oral care of the new crown. Properly taken care of, your new crown will last for many years.

A damaged tooth won't heal on its own. Call Julie at (503) 378-0466 to schedule your crown appointment today. We give outstanding service for eye-catching smiles!