Dental crowns are a common dental procedure because they are extremely versatile. The painless procedure is often recommended for a variety of problems because of its ability to extend the life of a tooth and prevent the need for extraction. Dental crowns can be thought of as a cap for the tooth, covering the entire visible surface above the gum. Crowns are a natural looking restoration, they are made of porcelain, which is a strong ceramic material closely resembling tooth enamel.
At Mount Royal Dental in Burlington, ON, these are some of the most common reasons why we may tell you that you need a dental crown.
Cavities weaken the natural structure of the tooth, jeopardizing their ability to withstand the force of natural functions. When cavities are left untreated, the decay can extend into the inner portions of the teeth, leaving the area weakened.
When treating cavities, the first step is to remove the decayed portion of the tooth. When the cavity is particularly large, or if a tooth has had multiple cavities over the years, this can mean there isn’t much of the original tooth structure left. This tooth is now particularly susceptible to further damage.
Placing a dental crown over the tooth structure can protect it from breakage as well as provide the strength and support needed for normal biting chewing. Additionally, the crown protects the tooth from new bacteria.
When decay extends deep into the root canals of the tooth, individuals may experience a great deal of pain and swelling. The pulp chamber is the innermost portion of the tooth and contains all the blood supply, root canals, and nerves.
Similar to a filling, a root canal eliminates all the bacteria that has reached deep into the tooth. The area is then sanitized and then filled with a composite material.
While root canals prevent the need for extraction, they leave the natural tooth structure dramatically weakened. After a root canal is complete, the tooth will be covered with a dental crown in order to protect it and minimize sensitivity.
If a tooth suffers a small chip or fracture, more than likely it can be fixed with dental bonding. However, when there is a deep fracture or crack within the tooth, a dental crown may be needed.
Cracked teeth can cause extreme sensitivity to temperature and some may experience pain when particles of food get caught in the crack. If the crack is not repaired, it can continue to deepen until eventually the tooth breaks in half and requires extraction. A dental crown can alleviate this pain and keep the tooth protected so that the crack does not continue to deepen.
Permanent tooth discoloration can occur for several reasons and is common after a patient has had multiple fillings on a tooth. This type of discoloration is not responsive to traditional teeth whitening, so we may recommend the placement of a dental crown. The crown will serve two functions: protecting the tooth from further damage and restoring the appearance of the smile.
Missing teeth can be addressed with several different types of restorations, two of the most common being dental implants and bridges.
Dental implants are posts that are inserted into the jawbone in place of a tooth root. If a person is missing a single tooth, a dental crown is attached to the post to fill in the gap.
Dental bridges are used when individuals are missing multiple teeth in a row. The bridge can be held into place with dental implants or dental crowns placed on top of the teeth adjacent to the gap. These crowns anchor the bridge which contains artificial teeth in the middle to fill in the gap.
At Mount Royal Dental, the placement of dental crowns is a common practice because they are durable, natural-looking, and can address many different conditions. Do you think that you could benefit from a dental crown? If you are in the Burlington, ON area, we invite you to call Mount Royal Dental today at (905) 581-9912 to request an evaluation. During your appointment, we will evaluate your mouth to determine if a dental crown can help restore your smile.