A crown is a cap that covers a tooth to restore its strength, shape and look. Dr. Brittany Pierpont recommends them at Pier Dental for teeth that are cracked, heavily filled, worn down or recently treated with a root canal.
Our patients from North Redington Beach often ask how long it takes and whether it will feel natural. We answer both, and we choose a material with you based on the tooth and how you chew.
What a crown visit involves
After an exam, the tooth is shaped to make room for the cap. We capture its form with our TRIOS digital scanner rather than a tray of putty, and that scan guides the custom crown.
A temporary crown protects the tooth until the final one is ready. At the second visit Dr. Pierpont bonds it in and checks your bite. With good care, crowns often last 10 to 15 years or longer.
Learn more: Dental Crowns at Pier Dental
Protecting a tooth after a root canal
A root canal clears infection from inside a tooth so you can keep it. Afterward the tooth is weaker, and a crown is typically added to guard it against fracture.
If a tooth throbs when you bite or hurts for no obvious reason, an exam will tell us whether it needs a root canal, a crown or both.
Learn more: Root Canals at Pier Dental
Inlays and onlays for in-between damage
Some teeth have lost too much for a filling yet do not need a full cap. An inlay or onlay, made of porcelain or composite, covers the damaged area and keeps more of the natural tooth.
The piece is made from a digital impression and bonded in. We recommend the most conservative option that will hold up.
Learn more: Inlays and Onlays at Pier Dental
About North Redington Beach
For most people here, a short trip beats a long one when crown visits are involved.
Pier Dental is at 8351 Blind Pass Rd, roughly 6 miles in a straight line. We see crown patients from North Redington Beach, Madeira Beach, Treasure Island and Gulfport, and a cracked tooth can be seen as an emergency.
Is a tooth cracked, worn or sore when you chew? Call Pier Dental at (727) 363-6169 for an exam. If it hurts right now, ask for a same-day emergency appointment.
