The Many Uses of Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cover that your dentist may place over your tooth. Dental crowns act like caps to protect your tooth or provide structure. With a dental crown, your dentist may need to remove some of the existing structure of your tooth. However, you will be left with a durable restorative option. Additionally, your dentist can find cosmetic uses for dental crowns as well.

PROTECTING A WEAK TOOTH

One reason you may need a dental crown is if you have a tooth that has been weakened by decay. Your dentist may need to give you a large filling after they remove the decay. If that is the case, you may need a crown to provide structure to your tooth.

With a large filling, your tooth may be susceptible to breaking, which is why you need a crown. Additionally, the crown will act as a barrier to prevent bacteria from entering the tooth, causing additional decay. This treatment can prolong the life of your tooth, hopefully preventing the need for a root canal.

COVERING A CRACKED OR BROKEN TOOTH

A tooth that has suffered a crack or fracture can be a painful experience. To fix a broken tooth, your dentist will likely use a dental crown to restore the function and appearance of your tooth. The crown will cover the damaged portion of the tooth, preventing the crack from spreading and causing further damage. This can help to save the tooth and prevent the need for extraction.

RESTORING A DECAYED TOOTH

If a tooth has suffered extensive decay, a filling may not be sufficient to restore its structure and function. In such cases, your dentist may use a dental crown to cover the entire tooth and restore its strength and appearance. This can help to prevent further decay and improve your overall oral health.

SUPPORTING A DENTAL BRIDGE

A dental bridge can replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring a false on the adjacent teeth. They will suspend the false tooth in the gap between them. As a result, the dental crown provides a stable and durable solution for missing teeth. In addition, the crowns help to support the bridge and distribute the bite forces evenly.

COVERING A DENTAL IMPLANT

A dental implant is a titanium prosthetic tooth root that your dentist inserts into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth root. Once the implant has integrated with the bone, your dentist will place a dental crown on top of the post to restore the missing tooth. The crown is the portion of your tooth that sits above the gum line, so your dentist will have the dental crown made to match the shape, size, and color of the adjacent teeth. This will provide a natural-looking and functional replacement.

IMPROVING A DISCOLORED OR MISSHAPEN TOOTH

Not only will your dentist use crowns for restorative purposes, but they can also use them for cosmetic reasons as well. They can use dental crowns to cover a discolored or misshapen tooth. This process will improve the appearance of your teeth, hopefully restoring confidence and love for your smile.