A dental crown may be the best solution if you have recently undergone a root canal or have another dental issue. It is critical to understand how a dental crown can help and what makes it so important.

How a Dental Crown Can Help

Dental crowns play a crucial role in protecting the surface of your teeth just above the gum line. Having a dental crown placed over a vulnerable tooth can provide you with several benefits.

A Dental Crown Can Provide Protection to Exposed Teeth

If you have a tooth that is particularly weak or vulnerable, a dental crown will provide a layer of protection. Dental crowns are typically constructed of porcelain, metal, or ceramic. Each of these materials works exceptionally well at protecting the underlying tooth from any further damage.

They Can Improve the Aesthetics of Your Tooth

A dental crown can create a more attractive appearance for your tooth. A damaged, discolored, or broken tooth can seem unsightly in your mouth. In many instances, people become incredibly self-conscious about their smiles. A dental crown can be placed over the tooth, giving it a whiter and healthier appearance.

They Provide Additional Strength to Vulnerable Teeth

After receiving a root canal treatment, the nerve and pulp are cleared out to keep the existing tooth alive. After this removal process, the tooth can dry out and lose its strength. Placing a dental crown over the tooth can help prevent further damage and provide the strength to eat and use your teeth for other purposes.

Dental Crowns Provide Support

After losing a tooth, you can have a dental crown set in place as a replacement. The crown can effectively support a dental bridge, providing you with a natural look and allowing you to eat food properly.

Call Now to See if a Dental Crown Is Right for You

If you have a problem tooth and would like to see if a dental crown can help, contact

Dr. Kenneth Egger, D.D.S., today by calling 989-773-3560 or completing the online contact form. Dr. Egger will be able to meet with you and discuss all available options.

Dental crowns are a type of restoration that is commonly used in the field of dentistry. Dr. Kenneth Egger and his team in Mount Pleasant, MI work with patients to determine if they could benefit from dental crowns made of metal, porcelain, or porcelain-fused-to-metal. The process is simple and easy and allows for fast repair of one’s smile.

What is involved in obtaining dental crowns?

The steps in obtaining a dental crown are as follows:

• Make an appointment with your dentist. This can be done through our website or over the phone.
• Have a consultation to discuss your needs and what type of crown would be best for you. This is the perfect time to ask Dr. Kenneth Egger questions and compare crowns to other dental restorations.
• Get a tooth mold or impression taken. After the tooth is prepared with the removal of natural tooth enamel, dental molds are completed.
• Choose your material and color for the crown. We offer porcelain crowns, metal crowns, and PFM crowns for patients to choose from, each with different appearances and price points. During this appointment, the dentist may also place a temporary crown to protect the tooth in the meantime.
• Wait for the crown to be made. The dental impressions are sent to a dental laboratory with specific instructions for the ceramist to fabricate the dental crown. This includes overall shape, size, and materials to ensure the crown matches the patient’s smile when looking for aesthetic results. This can take one to two weeks to complete.
• Go back to the dentist for a final check-up and to have the crown cemented in place. This is the last appointment required, during which the new crown is bonded onto the tooth. Dr. Kenneth Egger will evaluate the fit and ensure the crown is ready for use!

How do I learn more?

Dental crowns are a popular tooth restoration option available with Dr. Kenneth Egger of Mount Pleasant, MI. If you have been considering crowns or have been told by another dentist that you could benefit from one, call 989-773-3560 to schedule a consultation visit with our team. We accept new and returning patients and can’t wait to meet you!

A common dental restoration used in most dental facilities of Mount Pleasant, MI is that of the dental crown. Unlike a crown associated with a king or queen, a dental crown is used for protection of the natural tooth structure. However, it is similar to a crown of royalty in that it is placed over the tooth like a “cap.” These porcelain pieces are custom-made for patients at the office of Dr. Kenneth Egger and ensure protection, strength, and beauty within the smile. These versatile restorations are used in a number of different dental situations, making them extremely versatile and useful in general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry.

Why might I need a dental crown?

Below are six of the more common reasons why a patient might need to have a dental crown fabricated and placed over a patient’s tooth:

• A dental crown might be needed to protect a tooth that has been weakened by a cavity or fracture.
• A dental crown might be needed to restore the shape and size of a tooth that has been worn down from grinding or clenching.
• A dental crown might be needed to cover a tooth that is stained or discolored.
• A dental crown might be needed to attach a bridge or a partial denture.
• A dental crown might be needed to cover a dental implant.
• A dental crown might be needed to protect a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy and been weakened.

How long does it take to obtain a crown?

There are several steps involved in creating a dental crown, so patients can expect two separate appointments, the placement of a temporary crown in-between visits, and approximately two to three weeks from start to finish.

How do I learn more about dental crowns?

At Kenneth Egger, DDS Family Dentistry, patients of all ages can learn about the importance of good oral health habits at home and the benefits of visiting the dentist regularly for cleanings and evaluations. If you have been advised to consider a dental crown for your smile, now is the time to connect with a dentist to determine the advantages of porcelain crowns for teeth. Call (989) 773-3560 to request a consultation appointment with Dr. Kenneth Egger at 900 East Bellows Street in Mount Pleasant, MI.

We just celebrated July 4th here in Mount Pleasant. Yep, we celebrated the day we ditched the crown, so to speak. While everyone is quite enamored with The Crown on Netflix, following the travails of Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the Royal Family, Dr. Egger is a bigger fan of the crowns in his dental family. 

Porcelain crowns. 

He loves crowns because they enable the patient to save their natural tooth from needing extraction. Certain problems, such as deep cracks or serious amounts of decay, can endanger the very survival of a tooth. That’s because the damage has weakened the tooth to the degree that it can no longer be used for chewing and biting without some help. 

That help comes from a dental crown. 

What does Dr. Egger use crowns for? 

Crowns can have a wide variety of uses. The most common are: 

•     If a tooth is deeply cracked or worn
•     If a tooth has a very large cavity
•     If a tooth has a root canal procedure
•     If a tooth is abnormally small, oddly shaped, or very discolored
•     They provide the anchors on the heathy teeth on each side of a bridge

How are crowns placed? 

Fitting and placing a crown usually takes two appointments. During your first appointment, we remove any decay or other area of the tooth that is not savable. In cases where a tooth has extensive decay, it can’t be simply filled because the filling will occupy too large an area and won’t have the strength necessary for long-term chewing and biting. A crown is needed. 

To prepare your tooth for a crown, once Dr. Egger has removed any decay or damage, he shaves off some of the healthy portion of the tooth. This is necessary to make room for the crown to be fitted atop the tooth. Then we take dental impressions and send them off to the lab for the fabrication of your crown. While the crown is being made, we fit you with a temporary crown. 

When your crown is finished, you return for your second appointment, and Dr. Egger checks the fit. Then he cements the crown permanently onto your tooth. Any final shaping and polishing are done, and you’re good to go. 

So, give that damaged or decayed tooth the royal treatment — have Dr. Egger put a crown on it! Call us at our Mt. Pleasant office, (989) 773-3560, to make an appointment. Please remember that in the summer we are closed on Fridays.

Sure, The Crown on Netflix is a good show that illuminates the world of the monarchy in Britain. But in Michigan, the closest thing we have to royalty is Gordie Howe, and he wouldn’t have been caught dead wearing a bejeweled headpiece.

Ah, but he probably had a few crowns due to his profession. Those are the kind of crowns Dr. Egger likes — dental crowns. He views them as a great way to save a tooth with lots of damage or as anchors for a bridge (of which Mr. Howe no doubt had at least a couple).

What is a crown?

When a tooth is in trouble — it could have a serious crack, a huge filling that has compromised the tooth’s strength, or maybe there’s a ton of decay — a crown is basically the only way to save the tooth. A crown, as the name implies, fits over the entire visible (above the gum line) portion of the tooth returning strength to the underlying weakened natural portion of the tooth. Crowns are also used as the anchors for dental bridges. They are not, however, used for parades or inspecting the troops or for confusing people with all the lords, earls, dukes, et al.

Reasons for a crown

Crowns can be used to strengthen a weakened tooth or to overcome cosmetic issues. Dr. Egger places crowns to serve these purposes:

• You have a deeply cracked, worn, or fractured tooth
• You have an overly large cavity in a tooth
• Your tooth needs a root canal (a crown is placed on it afterwards)
• You have a tooth (or teeth) that is oddly shaped, very discolored, or overly small
• You need a bridge (crowns are placed on the abutment teeth)

How we place a crown

A crown is a two-appointment process; you don’t have to be born in some ancient bloodline! During your first visit Dr. Egger evaluates your tooth and uses x-rays to ascertain the amount of damage. Once he decides you need a crown, we’ll first clean your teeth. If heavily stained, we could recommend whitening before you get your crown. Next Dr. Egger will use a shade guide to match the color for the porcelain of your crown.

Now he’s ready to prepare the tooth. He shaves off a portion of the enamel on all four sides on top. Why? This makes room for the crown, so that once it is in place, your crowned tooth is the same size as your adjacent teeth. Then we take an impression of your prepared tooth and send it off to the dental lab for fabrication of your custom crown. To protect your tooth while the crown is being made, Dr. Egger places a temporary crown on it.

When your crown is finished, you come in for your second appointment. Dr. Egger checks the fit and the color match first. When satisfied, he cements the crown permanently onto the tooth. A few final adjustments are made for bite and fit, and you’re done.

Now your tooth looks great and is strong enough to last for a decade or more.

Do you have a tooth that has some serious damage? A crown could save it from extraction. Call Dr. Egger at (989) 773-3560 to make an appointment.

Crowns Are Tough

Most of us have an uncle who yammers on about his “caps.” He may even have made the trek to your home from Ypsilanti or Cheboygan over the holidays, and you got to see his famous gold caps in person.

What he’s actually talking about are crowns, and they aren’t made of gold much anymore. Dr. Egger prefers to place porcelain crowns on his patients these days. Crowns are a tooth lifesaver, returning strength to a tooth that could otherwise be in danger of needing extraction.

Caps? Crowns?

People used to refer to crowns as caps because they kind of looked like a cap. This dental prosthetic covers the entire visible portion of the tooth, all the way down to the gumline. These used to predominantly be made of gold, so they stood out quite a bit when the person had his or her mouth open.

Today’s crowns are the same thing — they cover the tooth completely — but they are usually made from dental porcelain, so they match your other adjacent teeth perfectly and no one knows you have a crown in place. Dr. Egger loves porcelain for these prosthetics because porcelain closely resembles natural tooth enamel the way it partially reflects light and in its slight translucence. Most people can’t tell the difference between a natural tooth and a porcelain-crowned tooth next to it.

What does a crown do?

Sometimes a tooth has some serious problems. It may have a deep crack. It may have a large cavity, and now is showing new decay around it. The tooth may have been worn down over the years by grinding at night. The strength of the tooth is compromised. Placing a crown over the tooth enables the patient to keep the tooth, but the crown returns full chewing and biting strength to it.

Crowns also have a couple other uses. One is cosmetic. If a tooth is misshapen or deeply discolored (usually by a reaction to tetracycline or from trauma), a crown can cover it and make the tooth appear perfect. If Dr. Egger performs a root canal on a tooth, a crown is usually then placed on that tooth to protect it since the interior has been removed. This is always true with molars. Finally, Dr. Egger uses crowns to anchor bridges. Crowns are placed on the two teeth on each side of the missing tooth or teeth. The crowns are the anchors for the one-piece bridge that holds the artificial tooth or teeth.
Crowns are long-lasting, durable dental tools for Dr. Egger. And, unlike your uncle, if you have a crown placed by Dr. Egger, no one will even know it’s there. No “caps” for you!

Is it time for your next exam and cleaning? Call us at (989) 773-3560 to make your appointment.

A Menu of Dr. Egger’s Most Common Services

Whether it is with or without anxiety, patients are always focused on their procedure. Maybe it’s a routine cleaning; perhaps it’s the need to have a filling placed. To keep everyone up to date, here’s a list of our most common services, treatments, and procedures at Dr. Egger’s practice.

Oral health exams: X-rays, oral cancer screenings, along with a visual examination of the teeth, gums, and jaw are involved here. We look for signs of decay, disease, misalignment, spaces, and other issues.

Prophylactic cleanings: We remove minor plaque and tartar buildup to reduce the risk of gingivitis and cavity formation. Every six months is the right interval.

Gum disease intervention: To head off gum disease, Dr. Egger usually only needs to do some scaling of the teeth. This sounds serious but is just scraping off tartar below the gum line where it builds up and begins to cause gum irritation. For more advanced cases, he uses a diode laser to remove diseased tissue and remove bacteria, and Arestin to help with healing.

Fluoride treatments & dental sealants: Usually for children, but occasionally requested by adults, fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. We apply a topical gel twice a year. Sealants are long-term plastic filling applied to the deep grooves in the molars. It can last for decades.

Dental implants: Dr. Egger is a big fan of dental implants for tooth replacement. Why? Because once they are accepted by the jawbone, implants function and look just like natural teeth. Plus, they can last the remainder of the patient’s life.

Root canals: When decay reaches the inner pulp of the tooth, it’s time for a root canal. This cleans out the interior of the tooth, removing the infected tissue and nerves and replacing it with rubber-based substance. The tooth is then usually capped. Root canals save teeth from needing extraction.

Extractions: Pulling teeth. Dr. Egger doesn’t remove wisdom teeth, but most regular extractions can be handled in-house. 

Fillings & crowns: A cavity is merely an area of decay in a tooth. Usually, routine fillings address decay before it damages the interior of the tooth. You can opt for metal amalgam or composite fillings. Crowns are what used to be called caps because they are placed atop the damaged tooth to return strength and functionality.

Dentures: Dr. Egger designs and fits full or partial dentures to replace a group of teeth or all of a patient’s teeth. Today’s dentures fit better, are more comfortable, and are easier to manage than those of previous generations.

Is it time for your regular cleaning and exam? Call Dr. Egger at (989) 773-3560 to make your appointment.

So, you’re happily watching the Red Wings’ game and you see a puck flip up and smack one of your winged wheel denizens right on one of his big teeth, either cracking or chipping the tooth. You assume he’ll have to get the damaged tooth extracted and replaced by a dental implant or other prosthesis.

Not necessarily. He could merit a dental crown to save the tooth.

Dr Egger places crowns for his patients.

What is a dental crown?

A crown is a prosthetic appliance that is used to both save a damaged tooth and return strength to the tooth. A crown fits over the damaged tooth all the way down to the gum line. By completely covering the tooth, the crown gives the patient back the ability to chew and bite with the tooth, function that could have been tested by the damage.

What does Dr. Egger use crowns to address?

Crowns can be used for a variety of purposes. Crowns can:

• Save a tooth that is deeply cracked, worn, or fractured.
• Save a tooth with a large cavity that compromises its strength.
• Cover a tooth that is misshapen, too small, or heavily discolored.
• Serve as anchors for dental bridges.
• Return strength to a tooth that needed a root canal.

How is a crown placed?

Placing a crown isn’t an instant procedure — it requires two visits and a couple weeks. During the first visit, Dr. Egger prepares the tooth for the crown. To do this he shaves off a portion of the natural tooth on all sides and the top. This makes room for the crown to sit atop the tooth, without being larger than the original tooth was. After he shaves down the tooth, we take impressions of the tooth and the surrounding teeth, and these are sent to the dental lab to use when creating your crown. The process usually takes around two weeks.

When your crown is finished and arrives back at our offices, you return for your second appointment. Dr. Egger first checks the crown for fit and to see how it matches with your adjacent natural teeth. You may desire to test out the fit of your new crown at home for a couple of days. If this is the case, Dr. Egger places the crown with temporary cement and you head home to demo it. Otherwise, once Dr. Egger and you are satisfied with the fit, the crown is permanently cemented onto your tooth and you’re done. You can immediately begin using the newly crowned tooth.

Do you have a tooth that could use a crown? Call Dr. Egger at 989-773-3560 and let’s take a look.

The Crown That Isn’t on Netflix

Have you been watching the tasty series called The Crown on Netflix? It’s all about the rise of Queen Elizabeth and has more information for us non-monarchy types than we ever knew about royalty.

And the crown, literally. Yes, in episode five she actually puts on the real crown in her coronation. It’s heavy.

But that crown has nothing on the crowns that Dr. Egger is coronating his patients with every day in his Mt. Pleasant office.

What is a crown?

Beyond the jeweled sort, Dr. Egger places crowns on teeth that are either cracked, badly worn, or fractured. He places them on teeth with really large cavities. They often cover a tooth that has had a root canal. And he uses them to change the shape of a tooth that is misshapen or really discolored. Crowns are also the anchors for bridges, sitting on the two healthy teeth on each side of the gap.

A crown is a dental restoration, a prosthetic. Dr. Egger likes porcelain crowns, not because he’s some snooty type who only eats off porcelain dinnerware, but because they look great and last a long time. A crown fits over your natural tooth, all the way down to the gumline. It returns strength to a tooth that, like Superman when hit with some kryptonite, isn’t feeling so tough any longer.

How is a crown placed?

Getting a crown takes two visits, not a lengthy bloodline dating back hundreds of years. During your first visit, Dr. Egger evaluates your tooth, using x-rays to determine the damage in the tooth and what needs to be done. Next, he matches the color of your surrounding teeth with various porcelain shades.

Now comes the prep for the crown. To make room for the crown, Dr. Egger must shave off a portion of the healthy tooth. He does this right down to the gumline. Once this is done, we make a mold of your tooth, along with the opposing and adjacent teeth. We send the impressions off to the dental lab for the fabrication of your new crown. While we’re waiting for your new crown, Dr. Egger places a temporary crown on your tooth.

When your new crown comes to our office, you return for your second appointment. Dr. Egger checks the crown for fit and color match with the adjacent teeth. Then he places the crown with permanent dental cement, and does any residual shaping and polishing.

Now you know all about crowns, the dental sort. To know more about the jeweled sort, you’ll have to check out Netflix.

To make your next cleaning and exam appointment with Dr. Egger, call us at 989-773-3560.