A cavity that forms on a tooth that is visible in your smile can be unsightly and it can impact the way you feel about your outward appearance. In some cases, a small cavity can be repaired with a simple composite or porcelain filling at our dental office. However, a large cavity or a tooth that has a shallow amount of tooth enamel might require a dental crown.
This is a two-stage restoration that involves preparing the questionable tooth for a porcelain dental crown. After a thorough examination to assess the health of the tooth, Dr. Joseph Szymczak will use a drill to remove all the tooth enamel. This leaves behind a dentin pillar abutment that encases the healthy pulp and root of the tooth.
A detailed impression will be made of the abutment and the corresponding teeth in your bite. The impressions will then be sent to a professional dental lab. This will serve as a guide while the technicians meticulously create your porcelain crown.
At the end of the appointment, your dentist will secure a temporary crown over the abutment to keep it safe.
Once the dental lab technician has completed it, we will call you back into our office to cement the porcelain crown directly onto the anchoring abutment.
If you live in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area and you have a cavity on a tooth in your smile, you should call 616-453-0002 to seek treatment at our dental office.