Dental Crowns in Washington

A crown isn't the right fix just because a tooth looks worn or has started to bother you. It covers a tooth, but it can't solve every problem with that tooth. The better question is what needs fixing and whether enough healthy tooth remains to support a crown.

If you're unhappy with a tooth's color or shape, but the tooth is otherwise sound, a crown may be more treatment than you need. Covering the whole tooth is a different choice from changing how one part of it looks. The same goes for a small damaged area that still has plenty of strong tooth around it. A smaller repair may make more sense. You shouldn't have to choose a crown based only on how noticeable the spot is when you smile.

A crown also won't make a toothache go away if the source of pain hasn't been worked out. Pain can come from the tooth itself, the tissues around it, or the way your teeth meet. Covering the tooth without knowing what hurts risks solving the wrong problem. If there's a problem inside the tooth, that needs its own answer. A crown may or may not be part of the plan afterward.

Sometimes the concern is whether a crown could stay on the tooth at all. A break that extends too far below the gumline, or damage that leaves too little sound tooth, can make a crown a poor choice. A crown needs a stable tooth beneath it. It can't replace a missing tooth by itself, and it can't hold together a tooth that can't support it. That's a hard answer to hear when you want to save the tooth, but it's better than counting on a repair that doesn't fit the damage.

Our general dentistry in Washington includes looking at whether a crown fits the problem or a smaller repair makes more sense. You can ask what part of the tooth needs coverage, what sound tooth would support the crown, and whether something else needs attention first. Those answers matter more than choosing a treatment by name. If the tooth doesn't need a crown, or a crown can't do the job, it's worth knowing that before you make a decision.

A crown decision can be part of a bigger question about your tooth. At Associates in Dentistry in Washington, dental crowns are one of several services available. That matters when you're trying to understand the whole problem, not just the broken or sore spot you can feel. The right repair depends on what the tooth needs and what's going on around it. Having other dental services at the same office gives you room to ask about those pieces before you decide on a crown.

A dental exam is a place to start if you don't yet know what's causing the trouble. Composite fillings are available when the question is whether a smaller repair will do. If you've been told there may be a problem inside the tooth, root canals are also among the services offered at our office. Their availability doesn't mean you'll need one, or that a crown automatically follows. They're separate decisions, and it's fair to ask what each would address.

Missing teeth raise a different question. A crown on a tooth you still have isn't the same thing as replacing a tooth that's gone. Dental bridges are another service offered here, so you can ask how a missing tooth affects the choices you're considering. The office also offers implant restoration. That means completing the tooth that attaches to an implant. Implant placement isn't offered at this office, so if you're discussing a plan that involves an implant, ask which parts of that plan would happen here.

Your gums deserve attention in the conversation, too. Periodontal treatment is available at this office, but having that service on the list doesn't tell you whether you need it. What matters is knowing if there's more than one concern to address and what each part of a proposed plan is meant to do. You can ask, in plain words, what problem the crown would solve and whether anything else needs its own answer. That helps keep one treatment from standing in for an explanation of the whole plan.

Dr. Dennis Burton and Dr. Jonathan Gifford staff our office at 300 Peoria St. Dr. Burton has been with the practice since 1988. If you're weighing a crown, you don't need to arrive knowing which service to ask for. Bring what you've noticed and any questions you have about the proposed repair. The useful outcome is a clear reason for the choice, including how it fits with any other dental needs you may have.

From the exam to the final crown, you should know why a crown is being recommended, what your plan involves, and how you'll know whether the finished crown feels right. You don't need to arrive with those answers. You do need room to ask for them before the work begins.

At the exam, bring up what you've noticed: a rough edge, pain when you bite, or a tooth that feels different from the others. If you've had work done on that tooth before, say so. The question to settle is what the crown is meant to protect and whether anything else needs attention first. Ask to have that explained in plain words. It's easier to make a choice when you can point to the problem the treatment is meant to solve.

Before you schedule the work, ask what your particular plan will require. Our office doesn't offer same-day crown milling, so don't assume you'll leave with a finished crown on the day work begins. Confirm how many appointments to plan for, whether a temporary crown is part of your plan, and when you can expect the final one. If you have a trip or another commitment coming up, mention it before choosing appointment dates.

It's also fair to ask what choices you'll make about the crown itself. If you're concerned about how it'll look, say that early, especially if the tooth shows when you smile. If your concern is chewing comfortably, say that too. You can ask what the proposed crown is intended to do for your tooth and what tradeoffs matter in your case. You shouldn't have to guess which details are worth mentioning.

When the final crown is ready, pay attention to how it feels as well as how it looks. Tell the dentist if your bite feels different or an edge bothers you. Don't feel you have to call something comfortable just because you can close your teeth together. Ask how the fit will be checked and what to do if you notice a concern after you leave.

If someone has already recommended a crown and you're unsure about the next step, bring the recommendation with you if you have it. You can ask what still needs to be confirmed and what the appointment plan would be for your tooth. That way, you can decide with a clear picture of the work ahead, rather than agreeing to a treatment name alone.