What is a Crown, and Why Are They Made?
Dental crowns, inlays, and onlays are placed to help support a broken tooth, cracked tooth or badly decaying tooth with little healthy tooth structure left intact. They also can be used to enhance cosmetics or a badly discolored tooth or arch of teeth a patient dislikes. Crowns provide the necessary strength and durability to a tooth, preventing further deterioration that can lead to a tooth needing removal. At a patient’s visit, Drs. Pace, Sullivan, and Pace Jr. shape the teeth after ensuring no decay remains. Sometimes when the tooth is badly decayed, a build-up is completed to give the crown a strong foundation to rest upon. A gentle impression or virtual scan of the final prepared tooth is made. With the aid of computer technology, milling machines, and hand-crafted porcelain addition, the crown is designed. Finally, your new restoration is cemented at a later time after we check the precise fit and you approve of the color match and overall cosmetic appearance. You will leave with a natural looking tooth ready for comfortable chewing and a long, healthy life. If you think you may need a crown for one or multiple of your teeth, please call Belle Meade Family Dentistry at 615-298-2030 to discuss your dental treatment options.