A dental filling is commonly used to repair a small filling or a chipped area of tooth enamel. They are typically bonded in place with enough integrity to last for many years. However, inconsistent oral hygiene practices and the passage of time can gradually start to weaken a dental filling’s relationship to the surrounding tooth enamel.
At first the tooth might suffer from heightened sensitivity or discomfort when biting down. You might also notice a change in texture or a grade shade in the surrounding tooth enamel. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms with one of your teeth, you should not delay in seeking treatment at Mark Andrews, D.D.S.1.
Other times, the symptoms of a distressed dental filling might go unnoticed. You might find yourself eating a meal or chewing gum and one of your fillings comes out.
In some of these situations, the tooth might not have enough healthy tooth enamel for Dr. Mark Andrews to repair it with a new filling. In a case like this, he might recommend replacing the entire tooth enamel layer with a dental crown.
Our dentist will start the restoration process by using a dental drill to remove any remaining traces of tooth enamel. This will create a small abutment which will eventually anchor the dental crown in your mouth.
Dr. Mark Andrews’s will then create an impression of the area. This will be sent to a dental lab to guide technicians in creating your dental crown. A temporary crown is then secured over the abutment to keep it safe, while you await completion of your crown.
When your new crown is ready, a member of Dr. Mark Andrews’s staff will call you in for a brief follow-up appointment. The temporary crown is removed and your new permanent crown is cemented in place.
If you have a tooth with a missing filling, you should not delay in calling 425-821-8100 to have it treated and restored with a dental crown in Kirkland, Washington.