When a dental practitioner recommends a dental crown, it may not be up to the patient. These dental devices are used to treat various conditions that cause a tooth to need serious work. When a crown is required, it usually means that the tooth it covers is too far gone to be useful, but it may not need to be extracted. A dental crown may be used in conjunction with other dental treatments, such as a root canal or a dental implant. Discover some of the reasons why a dentist may place a crown and the importance of the treatment.
A dental crown is a covering or a cap molded to fit a patient's teeth. Their purpose is to restore strength and function to a damaged tooth or teeth by taking a tooth's shape and helping it function as it normally would. Crowns are not the same as implants as they can cover still-existing teeth. Implants are only utilized when the dentist must pull a tooth. Crowns are made of various materials, including metals, porcelain, composite resin, and ceramics, depending on patient preference. However, the composite resin is the most common crown material due to its color and durability.
Some dental health conditions require a crown to help keep the integrity of the tooth. Removing a tooth is not something a dentist wants to do unless the situation makes it necessary, so every measure is taken to save the tooth. The most noticeable is tooth decay, cracked or chipped teeth, or after a root canal replacement surgery.
The most common reason for a crown placement is when too much of a tooth has been compromised by decay. Some cavities are too large to fill, but the dentist must remove the bacteria and seal the hole. If the cavity is too large, a large portion of the tooth can need removal. A crown becomes necessary to seal the cavity and reinforce what remains of the tooth.
Dental incidents happen that may leave a tooth with a crack or chip. While some chips are not detrimental to the tooth's health, cracks and fissures usually are. A fissure, even a small one, allows food and bacteria to gain entry inside the tooth. A significant infection can occur when this happens, causing pain and permanent damage to the nerve root. Some cracks require a crown to keep the tooth from breaking further.
When the inside of the tooth becomes infected from severe decay, it can seriously damage the teeth and gums. To fix it, a dentist has to open the tooth, clear out the infected pulp and then inject the hole with medicine to keep the infection from spreading. The procedure is known as a root canal and ends with a crown. Once the pulp is cleared out, there often is not enough tooth left. The crown also protects the medicine and allows it to do its job.
If a patient is made aware that they need a crown but choose not to get one, their decision can result in many negative side effects. The most common is that their tooth or teeth can become loose and fall out. Another possibility is that a weekend tooth may break, leaving the dentin layer exposed, leading to infection of their nerves.
Not receiving a dental crown may also lead to sensitivity issues with heat or coldness in the mouth area where the tooth used to be located before it fell out or broke off completely due to improper care while attached. These sensations could persist long after removal if left untreated properly by taking precautions against their effects each day before going about normal activities, such as eating.
There are several reasons why you might news a dental crown. If a tooth is broken, missing due to injury or decay, or receives a root canal replacement procedure, we can repair it with a dental crown. Do not hesitate to schedule an appointment, as doing so can result in more permanent damage that a crown cannot fix.
At Advanced Dental
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges in New Windsor, NY.
A dental crown is a type of dental restoration that covers a damaged or weakened tooth and improves its size, shape, health, and appearance. There are certain signs a dentist may look for to determine whether a dental crown is the best form of restoration for a patient or if another restoration may be more…
A dental crown and veneers are common dental treatments for restoring the appearance and functionality of your teeth. They can be used to restore damaged teeth and achieve a perfect smile depending on your dental condition. Although both dental crowns and veneers are useful tooth restoration options, the purpose, structure, and functionality of each differ.A…
Dental crowns can be used to fix various cosmetic and structural issues that affect the teeth. Also known as caps, dental crowns are some of the most versatile restorations used in dentistry, and they can last up to 25 years when properly maintained.Getting a dental crown attached to a tooth typically requires the dentist to…
The cosmetic appeal of dental crowns rests on their ability to sheathe natural teeth. A dental crown is also a custom restoration, meaning that it fits the underlying tooth like a glove. It covers the visible part of the tooth, from the biting surface to the base.These qualities make a dental cap one of the…
Root canal treatment can help with gums and the underlying jawbone. Read on to learn more about this endodontic treatment. This article discusses root canal treatment and how it can improve the health of the tooth receiving the treatment as well as the gums that support it. Gum and tooth health often go together. If…
There are many treatments available to restore missing teeth, but dentures are among the most common. They consist of appliances that are usually removable and consist of a base of hard acrylic or metal that supports artificial teeth. Their purpose is to restore oral function so that you can talk and eat more or less…