Dental crowns — sometimes called dental caps — cover the entire surface of your tooth from the biting surface to the gum line and all the way around the circumference of your tooth. There are “partial” crowns called inlays or onlays, but they shouldn’t be confused with dental crowns near you that completely enclose a tooth.
Dental crowns are a common and popular restoration recommended by a dentist near you. Why? Because they can restore strength in a weakened tooth, protect a damaged tooth from further damage and even enable the replacement of missing teeth. Even more than that, dental crowns can be used for cosmetic purposes or achieve cosmetic goals at the same time as achieving those restorative ends. If you have a badly misshapen or severely discoloured tooth (in a way that can not be bleached or whitened away), dental crowns can cover those flaws completely and project the appearance of a perfect tooth that blends naturally with your other healthy teeth.
You should consider a dental crown if…
If you have large cavities and weakened teeth
Cavities are voids in the structure of your tooth caused by the destructive effect of tooth decay. Fillings can fill those cavities, but the presence of cavities and the process of filling extremely large or multiple cavities in a single tooth can leave the tooth extremely weak and vulnerable to fracture during everyday use. If older fillings have begun to loosen or your dentist is concerned about the integrity of your tooth after receiving a large or additional filling, your dentist may recommend a crown instead. It will not only restore the strength of your tooth but will also be much more attractive than multiple fillings. Crowns from Caledonia Crosstown Dental can be blended to match your healthy teeth exactly.
You have a badly broken or chipped tooth
Chips, cracks and breaks that appear minor in the mirror may be much deeper and potentially dangerous than you realize. Cracks, chips and breaks that penetrate into the deeper layers and interior of your tooth can expose the tooth to serious infections and weaken the tooth to the point it may break further or completely. Your dentist can use dental crowns in York to keep your tooth intact and infection-free while preventing it from further harm.
Your tooth is badly decayed
If your tooth is so badly decayed that the tooth’s decay is affecting teeth on either side, your dentist may recommend that you be fitted with a crown to prevent bacteria in that tooth from spreading elsewhere. If you undergo a root canal to remove an infection from the interior of your tooth, a dental crown from a dentist in York will be put in place after you’ve healed from your surgery and to prevent the tooth from becoming reinfected.
If you are missing multiple adjacent teeth
What do crowns over existing teeth have to do with replacing missing teeth? Traditional and cantilever dental bridges replace missing teeth by holding artificial teeth called pontics in the gap between remaining teeth. The bridge is held in place by crowns put over the top of one or more teeth on one or both sides of the gap in your jaw. Those crowns will be cemented in place to hold your dental bridge in position to restore the function and appearance of your missing teeth.
Are dental crowns the right solution for your needs? For many people, crowns are exactly the right solution but a dentist will explain all the options, procedures, benefits and risks of getting crowns or other potential solutions. To find out if crowns could be right for you, make an appointment with a dentist near you.