A crown essentially replaces the enamel layer of a tooth with an artificial material that is not subject to the corrosive effects of bacteria and tooth decay.
In the majority of cases, a crown is called for to restore a tooth that has been compromised by advanced tooth decay. This also extends to teeth that have lost multiple fillings or one large filling. When this happens the pervasive bacteria in your mouth often find a way to invade the seam of the cement attaching a filling to the tooth enamel. Over time these bacteria create new areas of decay that compromise the cement of the filling causing it to fail and fall out.
In many of these situations there simply isn’t enough healthy and strong enamel remaining to effectively mount a new filling. So long as the decay doesn’t extend deep into the dentin, pulp or root of the tooth, Dr. Anthony Petchalonis can replace the compromised enamel with a crown.
Sometimes deep fractures and shallow cracks can compromise a tooth or increase the risk of significant tooth decay. In yet other instances a tooth in your smile might be chipped, and the chip is too close to the dentin layer to be repaired by a filling.
In other instances when someone wants to improve the appearance of the teeth in their smile with dental veneers. If one or more of the teeth in your smile have been compromised by past dental work, visible fillings or simply lacks the sufficient enamel to mount a dental veneer, Dr. Anthony Petchalonis will often recommend having the tooth restored with a crown.
If you have one of more teeth that suffers from decay, damage or is otherwise unappealing, you should call Dr. Anthony Petchalonis at 215-732-3350 to set up an appointment to explore your restoration options.