Dental crowns are one of the most crucial tools a dentist has in their arsenal. They have multiple uses and can be used to treat multiple dental conditions. Dr. Melissa Elliott of Harford County Dentistry, a dentist in Fallston, MD, discusses dental crowns and what they can be used to treat.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are a customized dental restoration. They’re designed to completely cover your natural tooth, sort of like a cap. They’re also commonly used as the final restoration on top of a dental implant. You usually see dental crowns used to stabilize and seal the tooth after a root canal, but they have many other uses you can benefit from.
Restoring or Stabilizing a Tooth
Tooth decay, especially if it’s severe, can make your natural teeth extremely weak. Teeth also get worn down or break as we get older. A dental emergency can cause a tooth to crack in half. All of these things lead to a tooth that isn’t really able to be used like you normally would. Chewing can break the tooth further or lead to food particles and bacteria to get inside the tooth.
This is where a dental crown can be useful. It’s a solution to all of these problems. For a cracked tooth, it holds the pieces together and ensures that they don’t break apart further.
It strengthens weak teeth and allows you the full use of your tooth. A crown can also help you avoid tooth extraction. You can keep your original tooth and the tooth root, so you don’t have jawbone deterioration or other problems that come with missing teeth.
Covering Misshapen or Discolored Teeth
Many people turn to traditional teeth whitening solutions if they have discolored teeth. But what if your discoloration is resistant to those traditional methods? A dental crown is always custom-made to the shade, shape, and size that you want. If just a tooth or two is discolored and resistant to treatment, you can get a crown that’ll match the rest of your teeth that have been whitened in the traditional method.
Misshapen teeth are another cosmetic problem that many patients suffer from. They may not blend well with the rest of your smile and can even be less functional because of the way they’re shaped. A crown can completely cover that tooth, allowing it to blend in with the rest of your smile and ensure that you have full functionality of that tooth again.
Supporting a Dental Bridge
One of the downsides of dental bridges is that they can cause serious wear and tear on the natural teeth they’re supported by. This leads to an increased risk of tooth decay in those teeth, as well as other problems. Dental crowns can help you avoid this. If your bridge is supported by teeth fortified with dental crowns, no harm will come to the natural teeth.
Being the Final Restoration for Dental Implants
Crowns are the most common final restoration for dental implants, contributing to their reputation as the most natural form of tooth replacement. Crowns can be made to match the rest of the teeth and create a stable restoration that’s functional and feels natural as well. It’s the best option aside from having a normal tooth.
Dental Crowns at Your Fallston, Maryland Dentist
Can a dental crown fix the problem you’re having with your tooth? Call us or schedule an appointment online.