Fillings are intended to repair modest areas of tooth decay that form on the enamel of your teeth. A filling can do its job for a significant amount of time before it is lost or missing for one reason or another. In many cases, the pervasive bacteria in your mouth, work their way between the filling and the otherwise healthy tooth enamel. In time, this degrades the cement holding the filling in place and also creates an additional area of decay in the tooth.
Sometimes the decay can be so extensive that when the filling falls out, Dr. Daniel Wood recommends restoring the entire enamel layer of the tooth with a crown. Most crowns are made from porcelain, gold or base metals.
Dr. Daniel Wood will start by examining the tooth and taking some X-rays. It’s important to assess the overall health of the interior structures of the tooth, to make sure they are strong enough to mount a crown.
Then he will use a drill to remove the majority of the enamel layer of the tooth. This leaves behind a small post-like structure known as an abutment.
Once the abutment is formed Dr. Daniel Wood will create an impression that includes the shape of the abutment, the neighboring teeth and the corresponding teeth in your bite pattern. Then he will secure a hard plastic temporary crown over the abutment to keep it safe.
The impression is sent to a professional dental lab to serve as a guide as they make your permanent crown.
Dr. Daniel Wood will call you to set up a brief second appointment once the lab has completed your crown. During this appointment he will remove the temporary crown and then secure your permanent crown in place.
If you have recently lost a filling on one of your teeth, you need to call Dr. Daniel Wood as soon as possible at 208-733-0494 to schedule an appointment.
