Crowns are a common word associated with dentistry, but not many people know exactly what they are, or when they might be needed. Dental crowns work by restoring the natural look of teeth that have been damaged or decayed, and they’re made from many different materials, all of which are chosen for their safety and durability. You can have crowns that are made from porcelain, from metal alloys, and there have been crowns that have been fabricated from gold. More commonly, a crown will be made with a combination of some of the above materials, to produce the natural look of a tooth while providing structural strength and reinforcement.
The question of when a crown is needed can usually be summed up by examining the current state of the tooth:
- If a root canal is necessary, then a crown is almost guaranteed to be needed. Root canals involve removing the vital pulp of the tooth that’s become infected or damaged, and they’re frequently caused by damage to the outer shell of the tooth. Once the pulp’s been removed, a crown will be necessary to cap the tooth, and rebuild its structural strength, as well as to protect the tooth from further decay.
- When a tooth has been physically damaged, which can include severe chipping or damage from decay. Again, the crown works to replace the outer portion of the tooth that’s essentially the soft tissue’s layer of protective armor. When that’s gone, it’s only a matter of time before bacteria find their way into the tooth, which can lead to extremely painful and dangerous infection for the patient. Even if you haven’t experienced that yet, you may need a crown to keep it from happening in the near future.
- For bridges, which are prosthetic solutions for missing teeth. A bridge is a dental structure that uses the teeth that neighbor a gap, and the supporting teeth will need to have a crown placed and bonded to keep the bridge in place. In this situation, you will need at least 2 crowns, depending on how large the bridge is and how many missing teeth there are.
If you’re experiencing issues with a damaged tooth, or if you have a missing tooth and aren’t satisfied with the solution of a dental implant, then you may need to have a crown made.
The up side is that each dental crown is made with cosmetic values in mind; Dr. Bonbright takes highly accurate imaging to ensure that the coloration and shape of the crown will be natural to your smile, and your bite line. It can make a huge difference for patients that may be dealing with teeth that are badly damaged, or who fear tooth loss may be in their future. Best of all, crowns are made to last for the long run. With proper oral care, a crown can last for many years before it needs to be replaced. To learn more about crowns, schedule a consultation with Dr. Bonbright today.