Why do I need a crown?

Glacier Dental of Oshkosh was one of the first dental offices in Wisconsin to have an E4D. What does that mean to you? Well, this state-of-the-art technology allows the doctors to design a crown for our patients in one day. That means, only one visit for you!

Now the question may be, what exactly is a crown and why are they needed? A dental crown is basically a "cap" that is placed over a tooth after the Doctor removes any decay or poor tooth structure. It is tooth-colored and looks just like every other tooth. It helps restore the original tooth's strength, shape and size.

There are several instances when a patient may need a crown and a few include: to help protect a weak tooth that may be cracked, to fix a tooth that may have a piece broken off, if a cavity is too large and there isn't much tooth structure left a crown may be the best/only option, crowns can be used for cosmetic work to make a tooth visually look better or to cover up yellowing, or crowns are used when a dental implant is done.

Throughout the crown process, the doctors of Glacier Dental will gladly answer any questions you may have. The patient is also numb throughout the process and will only feel pressure from the Doctor working on the tooth. The doctor will then use a 3D imaging camera to take pictures of your tooth and use the E4D software to design a crown that will function perfectly in your tooth.

The newly designed crown will then be made in office out of a piece of ceramic, and while this is happening, the Doctor will prep the tooth and get it ready for the crown to be bonded to the remaining tooth structure in your mouth. Sometimes there may not be enough tooth structure for the crown and a buildup is needed. A buildup is made up of resin, or the material a dentist would use to fill a cavity, and gives the tooth more of a base to place the crown on.

Finally the Doctor will bond the crown to your existing tooth/buildup and adjust it so your bite is back to normal. After your appointment, you'll be able to eat and drink right away...that is..as long as you're not too numb!

A recent Glacier Dental patient had a crown done and said, "It's not as bad as I thought. There was great new technology and Dr. Steckbauer was very knowledgeable and made me very comfortable. It is important to take care of your teeth and Glacier Dental is a great place to be. You'll be in good hands." This same patient mentioned that prior to his appointment, he was extremely nervous and found any dental work to be uncomfortable because of his arthritis. But after the appointment, he realized it wasn't bad at all.

If you're concerned about a tooth that is broken, giving you pain or just doesn't feel right, give Glacier Dental of Oshkosh a call 920-235-3251! We'd be more than happy to schedule a consultation with you and go over any treatment you may need.