Healthy Smile: I Feel Like I Can’t Chew My Food

by Hiralben Patel, DDS of Healthy Smiles Bay Village

I recently had a patient come in where his main concern was that he couldn’t chew his food properly. I thoroughly analyzed his teeth and bite and noticed he had a lot of wear on his molars. The natural anatomy present on teeth help with function, such as chewing. Teeth have ridges and cusps that help tear and break down food to make digestion easier. This patient’s teeth were flat with worn enamel due to heavy wear. Because of the wear he was unable to chew.

I discussed this with him and proposed that we place crowns on his worn molars. Today I want to discuss what crowns are and how they can help us rebuild form and function for teeth. Crowns are a part of restorative dentistry. The goal of restorative dentistry is to help us rebuild the form and function of teeth that are compromised. Restorative dentistry has multiple facets such as fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants. Form leads to function, and that is essential for a healthy smile.

When only a small portion of the tooth is compromised it can usually be restored with regular dental fillings. However, when a large portion of the tooth is compromised, we need to think about fully rebuilding the tooth with other options such as a crown. Crowns are predictable and reliable.

First we prepare the tooth for a crown and then take a mold that will provide the information necessary to fabricate the crown outside of the mouth. We pick the most suitable material for the patient’s mouth and situation. We also pick a color that will match all of the other teeth.

Once the crown is back from the lab, we try it in and verify how well the crown fits. If everything looks great and the patient approves of the crown we proceed to cementing the crown. “Cementing the crown” involves using a special material that acts the glue and attaches the crown to the tooth. Once the crown has been properly cemented, it becomes a part of the patient’s mouth and will help improve function of the once compromised tooth.

If you believe you have a compromised tooth or any concerns pertaining to your dental health please don’t hesitate to call us at 440-892-1810 for a consultation. We look forward to meeting you!

We have availability until 8 p.m. and availability on Saturdays!

Call Miranda to schedule your appointment (440-892-1810)

27239 Wolf Road, Bay Village, OH 44140 • 440-892-1810 • thehealthysmile.net