A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that reinforces, repairs, or replaces badly damaged teeth. It is one of the strongest and most versatile dental restorations. In addition to its role in tooth replacement, a dentist may recommend a crown when a tooth is so badly damaged that more minor restorations, such as fillings and onlays, are not sufficient to fix it.
These restorations are also known as dental caps because the fit like a cap over a natural tooth or dental implant. Dental crowns are tooth-shaped restorations that not only repair badly damaged natural teeth but are also an important component of tooth replacement options such as dental implants and dental bridges. Dental crowns can consist of materials such as porcelain, metal, zirconia, composite resin, or a combination.
Only a dentist can help a patient decide when they need a dental crown. Typically, dentists recommend dental crowns in the following situations.
Root canal procedures can save teeth and help a patient avoid an extraction. However, after a root canal is performed, a tooth is devitalized. This makes the tooth more susceptible to damage and other issues, especially if the tooth is a molar and needs to sustain significant biting force. The dental crown will protect the tooth and restore its function.
A dentist will likely recommend a crown for teeth with multiple fillings or fillings that take up a large portion of the tooth structure. Teeth treated for cavities multiple times or lost a good portion of their natural tooth structure are not as sturdy and more susceptible to damage. The denal crown protects these teeth, making them more compatible with sustaining biting forces.
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body but is not invincible. When a tooth is badly damaged during an accident, a dentist will try to save it with a restoration, like dental bonding. A dental crown is necessary when a large portion of the tooth is missing, or a crack goes through a large portion of the tooth. Dental crowns may be the only way to save a broken tooth if the break affects the pulp chamber.
A dentist will do all they can to save a tooth and avoid needing tooth replacement. However, that is not always possible. Luckily, a dental crown can still be useful. Dental crowns can attach a bridge to surrounding teeth or complete a dental implant to replace a tooth. Because dental implants can consist of material that is almost indistinguishable from tooth enamel, the patient's tooth replacement will blend in with the rest of their smile.
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Harborside Dental can help you decide if a dental crown is the best way to repair and save your tooth. These restorations will help restore the form and function of your smile. If you think you may need a dental crown, call us today.
Request an appointment or call Harborside Dental at 231-943-6076 for an appointment in our Traverse City office.
A general dentist may use a dental crown for several reasons, from restoring decayed or damaged teeth to supporting teeth replacements. Just as there are many applications for crowns, there are also many types of them. Porcelain and porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) are among the most commonly recommended by dentists. Learning the key differences between these crowns…
Dental Crowns are among the most important treatments in restorative dentistry. They serve key purposes in both tooth repair and replacement. From reinforcing root canal-treated teeth to fixing teeth or helping to replace missing ones, a dental crown is a versatile and effective solution for restoring smiles.Also known as dental caps, crowns are tooth-shaped restorations…
Dental crowns are often used to cover chipped or decayed teeth so as to restore their form and function. If tooth damage is too severe to be handled with dental fillings, the dentist will typically recommend getting crowns. Dental crowns might be made of porcelain, metal, ceramics, or resin. No special care is required, except…