Lakeview Bright Smiles, PA

About the Proposed Treatment

Treatment involves covering the tooth about the gum line with a cap (crown) or covering the front surface of the tooth with a tooth-colored material called veneer (also called bonding). The purpose of a crown is to strengthen a tooth weakened by decay, large restorations or after root canal.  Crown and veneer are also used to the appearance of damaged, discolored, misshapen or spaced teeth.

Treatment is completed in several steps, including preparation of the tooth and completion of treatment. In preparing a tooth for a crown or veneer, some of the tooth structure above the gumline is removed to create the foundation for the crown. A temporary (or provisional) crown is usually placed while the new crown is being created. It is essential to return to have the new crown placed as soon as it is ready. Because a temporary crown is not intended to function as well or for as long as a crown, failing to return promptly could lead to the deterioration of the temporary crown, resulting in decay on tooth, gum disease, infections and problems with you bite. At a later appointment the new crown is placed with a special dental cement. A crown or veneer is placed only once you have approved the size, shape, and color.

Common Risks

1.   Reaction to anesthesia and/or sedation: to keep you comfortable while your tooth is being prepared, you will receive a local anesthetic. In rare instance, patients have an allergic reaction to the anesthetic which may require emergency medical attention, or find that it reduces their ability to control swallowing, which increases the chance of swallowing foreign objects during treatment.

2.   Irrigation to nerve tissue: Preparing a tooth may irritate the nerve tissue (called pulp) in the center of the tooth, leaving your tooth feeling sensitive to heat, cold, or pressure. Treating such irritation may involve special toothpaste or mouth rinses or possibly treating the pulp itself (called endodontic or root canal treatment).

3.   Stiff or sore join:  Holding your mouth open during treatment may temporarily leave your jaw feeling stiff and sore and may make it difficult for you to open your mouth wide for several days afterwards. Treatment may leave the corners of your mouth red or cracked for several days.

4.  Changes to your bite:  A crown may alter the way your bite fits together and make your jaw joint feel sore. This may require adjusting your bite by altering the biting surface of the crown and adjacent teeth.

5.  Gum disease: The lower edge of the crown is usually designed to rest near the gumline, which may increase the change of gum irritation, infection, or decay. Proper brushing and flossing at home, a healthy diet and regular professional cleaning are essential to helping prevent these problems.

Benefits and Alternatives

The proposed treatment is intended to restore or improve the appearance and strength of your  teeth as well as the way your bite fits together. Depending on your needs, alternative treatments include extracting damaged teeth or correcting your bite with orthodontic treatment instead of placing crowns and bleaching teeth instead of placing veneers. There is no alternative to a crown for protecting a weak tooth that has received root canal treatment.