Even though tooth enamel is very hard, there are still things that can cause chips and fractures. While some fractures are caused by a blow to the face or a hard fall, there can also be other mundane causes. It’s not uncommon for a fracture or large chip to occur after grinding your teeth at night on a regular basis.
If the fractured enamel isn’t addressed and repaired, it will provide a vulnerable area for tooth decay to form. This often prompts your dentist, Dr. Nicholas Kondon, to repair the tooth with a dental crown in Concord, Massachusetts.
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap it is made from either porcelain, gold or base metal alloys.
The process of installing a crown starts with your dentist examining the tooth and taking some X-rays. This helps your dentist determine the extent of the damage that was done to the tooth. If the damage extends into the pulp or root of the tooth, your dentist might first need to perform a root canal.
If the interior of the tooth is still sound, your dentist can proceed by forming an abutment. The abutment will be formed by your dentist removing the entire enamel layer. The little post will eventually anchor the crown in place.
A detailed impression will then be taken of the abutment and corresponding teeth. The abutment will be covered by a hard, plastic, temporary crown, and the impression will be sent to the dental lab where your crown will be produced.
Once the lab has completed your permanent crown, we will call you back into Nicholas P. Kondon, DMD for a follow-up appointment. During this appointment, the temporary crown will be removed and your new crown will be cemented onto the abutment.
If you have a fractured or badly chipped tooth, you should not delay in calling Nicholas P. Kondon, DMD at 978.369.9090 to schedule an appointment.