Design Dental is a dentist office that treats patients from Tiffin, IA. Led by Dr. S. Jeremy Tu, our practice utilizes dental crowns on damaged or weak teeth. These popular dental restorations can also be used for cosmetic enhancements.
As an experienced restorative dentist, Dr. Tu will ensure your new tooth crown looks, functions, and feels like a natural tooth and is comfortable. Dr. Tu also provides comprehensive dental services to patients in Tiffin, IA.
About Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a useful dental treatment that can extend the life of your natural tooth. It will help strengthen the tooth and also protect it from further damage. Most of the dental crowns that Dr. Tu places are made of porcelain because they resemble natural teeth and are highly durable. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is cemented to a natural tooth. It will completely encase the tooth down to the gum line. The top reasons Dr. Tu utilizes tooth crowns include:
- Cosmetic enhancement
- After a tooth receives a root canal
- When a tooth is fractured or broken
- Severe decay
- When a dental filling is cracked
Receiving a Dental Crown in Tiffin, IA
Having a dental crown placed will require at least two visits to our Tiffin, IA area dentist office. During the first visit, Dr. Tu will prepare the tooth. First he will administer a local anesthetic. Then he will remove all old fillings, debris, and the decayed portion of the tooth. The tooth will need to be shaped so that the crown fits properly. Next, he will take several impressions of your teeth that will be used to fabricate the tooth cap. Last, Dr. Tu will place a temporary dental crown that must be worn to protect the tooth until your permanent one is ready.
It will take around two weeks to receive the permanent dental crown from the dental laboratory. At this time, we will schedule your second appointment where the cap will be placed. First, Dr. Tu will remove the temporary crown and thoroughly clean the tooth. Then the new cap will be cemented onto your tooth for a permanent fit. We will send you home with instructions on how to care for your new tooth crown.
How bad does it hurt to get a dental crown?
The procedure to get a dental crown is no more painful than receiving a tooth filling. Additionally, Dr. Tu will inject a local anesthetic in the gums around the tooth to completely numb it. While preparing the tooth, you will not be able to feel the pain, only some pressure.
Is it better to pull a tooth or get a dental crown?
It is always better to preserve the natural tooth at all costs. They are stronger, more durable, and offer more functionality compared to false teeth. While dental prosthetics are great options when teeth cannot be saved or are lost, they are harder to care for, may not last forever, and can be very costly. Dr. Tu will always recommend a dental crown over pulling the tooth for these reasons.