These problems may warrant a dental cap:

• Chips
• Cracks
• Deep cavities
• Failed filling or crown
• Bridge anchor
• Implant crown
• Root canal therapy tooth restoration

Let’s explore the ways that a dental cap relieves a toothache.

Chipped Tooth

Often painless, chipped teeth won’t ache unless the chip extends into the dentin. 

A tooth is comprised of layers. The outermost layer is a coating of white tooth enamel over the tooth’s crown, and human enamel is extremely durable. It’s the second strongest natural substance on earth, next to diamonds, and it’s the strongest substance the body creates. Beneath the enamel is dentin, a softer, yellow layer penetrated horizontally by tubules that allow sensations to reach the tooth’s nerve. Once dentin is exposed, a tooth will become sensitive to painful stimuli from pressure and intense temperatures.

If you have a chipped tooth, it will need treatment if:

• It causes pain
• The damage extends through the enamel to the dentin
• The affected tooth doesn’t fit well with opposing teeth
• The chip causes cosmetic concerns

For enamel chips, bonding may provide sufficient treatment. Bonding involves adding a bit of custom-tinted dental resin to a tooth to add structure. After applying the resin putty and shaping the restoration, a soft curing light hardens it. Bonding can last about seven years with good oral health and the absence of injury. 

Larger chips warrant the placement of a dental cap to reliably restore the tooth. 

Cracked Tooth

Have you heard of cracked tooth syndrome (CTS)? This is the term we use to describe a cracked tooth. Cracks can:

• Appear weblike, on the enamel only (called crazing)
• Penetrate enamel only
• Penetrate enamel and dentin
• Penetrate to the tooth’s core
• Split the tooth in half vertically
• Split the tooth and root horizontally

Beneath tooth enamel and dentin, a tooth’s nerve is housed within the tooth’s center chamber. The nerve sustains a tooth’s life by delivering nutrients and removing waste. Note that any crack that penetrates the pulp will allow bacteria to enter and cause infection. Internally infected teeth can only be salvaged by root canal therapy (RCT). 

A simple crack can often be treated with a dental cap made of all ceramic, porcelain fused to metal (PFM), all metal, or zirconia.

Deep Dental Cavity

When a cavity extends into the dentin, a toothache will usually occur. Pain ranges from mild to acute. It’s important for you to understand that teeth do not heal naturally like skin and bone. Cracked, chipped, or decaying teeth must be treated by a dentist or the damage can worsen to cause more significant problems, from tooth loss to the spread of infection throughout the jaw and even into the bloodstream. 

If you suffer from a cavity, you may need a filling. A deep dental cavity often requires a dental cap for quality restoration. 

Failed Restoration

Dental restorations aren’t designed to last a lifetime. In fact, they have an expiration date! The longevity of a dental restoration depends on the material from which it’s made, your oral health, the absence of injury, and your lifestyle and habits. 

In general, dental restorations should last: 

• Fillings 7-15 years
• Crowns 5 years to a lifetime (zirconia)
• Bridges 5-15 years

Do You Need a Dental Cap?

Call Chisholm Trail Smile Center in Duncan, OK, now at 580.255.4880 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Matthew Bridges. He’ll conduct a comprehensive oral evaluation, discuss your concerns, and devise a treatment plan that may involve use of a dental cap. Your dental treatment will get you out of pain and into good oral health, designed to last.

The post Cure Your Toothache with a Dental Cap appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

Am I a good candidate for a dental crown?

A dental crown is one of the most commonly used restorative options. Good candidates for a dental crown may include patients with: 

• A tooth damaged by decay
• A cracked tooth
• A weakened tooth
• A misshapen or discolored tooth
• A broken or worn tooth
• A dental implant

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a tooth-like “cap” that a dentist fits over a natural tooth or dental implant. By placing a dental crown over a damaged tooth, dentists repair the tooth’s structure and restore the patient’s chewing function. Furthermore, the crown looks like a natural tooth, so patients can continue to smile with comfort and confidence.

What are the different types of dental crowns?

Dental professionals can make crowns from several materials. At Chisholm Trail Smile Center, we offer:

• All Ceramic: This is the most common type of dental crown. Our dentist color-matches the metal-free crown to the patient’s surrounding teeth for a natural appearance. 
• Metal: Although metal crowns are the strongest, longest-lasting option, their metallic appearance makes them a less desirable option than other crowns. However, many patients can use metal crowns to restore back teeth that aren’t visible when they smile.
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal: These crowns are stronger than all-ceramic crowns. The metal base is hidden by tooth-colored porcelain. However, the porcelain might wear away over time to reveal the metal underneath.
• Zirconia: Zirconia crowns are biocompatible, natural-looking, and stronger than porcelain or ceramic. Therefore, they are one of the best metal-free restorative options available to patients today.

What is a dental crown procedure like?

First, Dr. Bridges will need to examine the patient’s teeth and gums to determine if a dental crown is necessary. He may also need to take some x-rays to confirm his diagnosis. If Dr. Bridges decides that a patient needs a dental crown, then patients can expect the following:

• Local anesthesia: Dr. Bridges prioritizes his patients’ comfort. That’s why he’ll administer a local anesthesia to numb the tooth and gums for the procedure.
• Shaping: Dr. Bridges carefully prepares the damaged tooth before shaping the tooth. Once the tooth is prepared, Dr. Bridges will shape the tooth to accommodate the placement of the dental crown.
• Impressions: Dr. Bridges will need to take impressions of the patient’s mouth after he shapes the tooth. Then, he will send the impression to a dental lab where the final crown will be made.
• Temporary crown: To protect the tooth while the final crown is being made, Dr. Bridges fits his patients with a temporary crown.
• Final crown: Once the lab finishes the crown, we will schedule an appointment for Dr. Bridges to fit the patient with their crown. At this appointment, Dr. Bridges will make any necessary adjustments before cementing the crown into place.

Bray Dentist Near Me

If you have a damaged, decayed, or worn-down tooth, then it’s time to contact our Bray dentist. Dr. Bridges and his caring team can restore your function and confidence with a quality dental crown. Not sure if you need a crown? Give us a call at (580) 255-4880 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.

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