Fillings are most commonly used to repair a small area of tooth decay. The passage of time and the pervasive nature of the bacteria in your mouth can sometimes work to weaken the cement anchoring your filling to the surrounding enamel. This can sometimes form a new pocket of decay inside the tooth, or cause the filling to fail and fall out.
If the filling was large or there was new decay, there might not be enough strong and healthy enamel remaining to apply a new filling. One of the most effective ways to treat a problem like this is to replace all of the tooth enamel with a crown.
The process starts with Dr. Wallace Lunden examining the tooth and taking some X-rays. It’s important to make sure the sensitive internal structures of the tooth are healthy. If new decay has compromised the pulp or root of the tooth, the dentist might need to perform a root canal.
The dentist will then numb the area with anesthetic before using a drill to remove all remaining tooth enamel. This leaves behind a small post called an abutment, which will eventually anchor your new crown.
An impression will then be cast of the area. Then the dentist will secure a temporary crown in place. The impression will then be sent to a dental lab where your new crown will be produced.
A member of our staff will call you to schedule the second appointment when your new crown is ready. We will then remove the temporary crown and your permanent crown will be cemented in place.
If you’ve recently lost a filling, or you suspect one of your fillings is going bad, you should call Cedar Point Dentistry in Minneapolis, Minnesota at 612-822-2176 to explore your treatment and repair options.