A dental crown, commonly known as a tooth cap, is a dental restoration used to cover the entire surface of the tooth. Dental crowns are customized in a laboratory to fit the shape and structure of your teeth.
The common functions of a dental crown are to protect a tooth from infection and preserve its functionality by strengthening its structure. When you consult a dentist with a variety of dental health issues, they will assess the situation to determine your suitability for a dental crown.
A dental crown can restore your teeth' structure, shape, and appearance. With the help of a competent dentist, you can understand when and why you need a dental crown. This helps ensure you decide to treat your oral health complications correctly.
Common reasons why you need a dental crown include:
To Cover a Severely Decayed Tooth
Tooth decay is one of the most common dental complications for adults and children in the United States. It begins with demineralization of the tooth enamel, which progresses to enamel damage before it reaches the tooth pulp. When detected early, tooth decay can be reversed or corrected using simple procedures like fillings or onlays.
However, when left untreated, decay compromises teeth' structure and appearance. Some complications that could arise from untreated tooth decay include damage to surrounding teeth, gum disease, and tooth loss. Additionally, bacteria from decayed teeth can travel to the bloodstream, causing severe health issues like heart disease.
When you have severe tooth decay, your dentist can recommend using a dental crown to cover the decayed tooth. After cleaning out the decayed part and treating the infection, a dental crown will be custom-made and placed on the tooth.
The crown will change the appearance of your tooth and restore its structure, protecting the tooth from further damage or breakage.
To Cover a Broken or Cracked Tooth
You may need a dental crown with a cracked or broken tooth. In this case, the dental crown will improve the tooth's appearance and strengthen its structure. A broken or cracked tooth may be a result of:
- Teeth grinding
- Biting hard foods and using your teeth as tools
- Extreme temperature changes
- Trauma to the mouth and jaw
When left untreated, a cracked or broken tooth could cause the following dental complications:
- Gum swelling and tenderness
- Severe pain and sensitivity
- Oral infection
- Tooth loss
These complications may require more invasive, intense, and costly procedures. Therefore, undergoing a dental crown procedure as soon as you notice the breakage is critical. When you consult your dentist seeking a solution for your broken or v-cracked tooth, the dentist will examine the tooth to determine whether fitting it with a crown is an effective way to restore it.
If you are a good candidate for the procedure, the dentist will scrape a small portion of the tooth enamel from the problematic tooth and take an impression of the teeth. The molds are sent to a laboratory, where your crowns are custom-made. While you wait for your permanent crowns, the dentist can fit your teeth with temporary crowns to protect your teeth from damage and sensitivity.
Dental crowns are a good option for broken or cracked teeth because they cover the entire tooth. If your teeth cannot be repaired with veneers, fillings, or onlays, crowns will be your only option.
To Support a Dental Bridge
According to the American College of Prosthodontics, up to 178 million Americans have at least one missing tooth. Missing teeth will not only impact your smile but can also affect your ability to chew food effectively. Additionally, missing teeth can cause shifting of the remaining natural teeth, causing further complications like tooth misalignment.
Dental bridges are a common procedure for replacing missing teeth. They restore teeth' chewing function and appearance. Different types of dental bridges are available for individuals with missing teeth. Your age, overall health, and tooth strength will dictate the type of dental bridge suitable for your condition.
Traditional Bridge
The traditional bridge is the most commonly used type of bridge. It consists of dental crowns on both ends of the missing tooth, bonded into the natural teeth to provide ultimate support for the replacement tooth.
You will be a good candidate for the traditional bridges if you have healthy and strong teeth on both sides of the missing tooth.
Cantilever Dental Bridge
The cantilever dental bridge is similar to the traditional bridge, but the crown is placed on one side of the bridge. Your dentist will use this type of bridge when you only have natural teeth on a single side of the missing tooth.
Implant Supported Bridge
If you do not have strong teeth on either side of the missing tooth, your dentist can recommend implant-supported bridges.
Dental crowns are made from different materials. The missing tooth's location, desired appearance, and budget could dictate your choice of dental crown material. Before using a dental crown to support the bridges, your dentist could reduce the tooth enamel of the supporting teeth to avoid the bulky feeling.
To Reinforce a Tooth after Root Canal
Root canal treatment is a procedure used to remove the infected pulp from a tooth. This procedure helps prevent tooth decay from spreading and causing complete damage to the tooth. You may be a good candidate for a root canal when you have deep tooth decay, severely cracked or damaged teeth, and prolonged sensitivity.
A root canal procedure involves drilling into the tooth and removing the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels and nerves. When the pulp is infected, you could suffer severe pain and sensitivity. After removing the pulp, the dentist cleans and disinfects the inner tooth to prevent further infection.
After the root canal procedure, the structure of your tooth will be compromised. This is because the damaged part of the tooth will be removed. After a root canal, a tooth will be essentially dead. This predisposes the tooth to damage or breakage when you chew or bite. Studies show that a root canal-treated tooth is six times more likely to crack than a healthy tooth.
For a tooth with minor damage, the dentist can recommend a filling to cover the part where the tooth enamel was removed. However, in cases where the damage is severe, and a filling is not an option, you may need a dental crown. The crown covers the entire tooth above the gums. This will restore the tooth's structure and protect the inner part from bacteria.
To Conceal Misshapen
Misshapen teeth are a cosmetic dental concern that arises when teeth are irregularly shaped. This distorts the appearance of your smile and can lower your self-esteem. Also, misshapen teeth are challenging to clean, predisposing you to more serious dental complications, including tooth decay and cavities.
Common reasons for misshapen teeth include:
- Your genetics contribute significantly to the shape and size of your teeth. If your parents have misshapen teeth, you could inherit the trait.
- Tooth misalignment or malocclusion can result in a distorted tooth shape.
- Clenching or grinding your teeth can damage the tooth enamel, changing its shape and size.
- Tooth decay. When tooth decay is left untreated, the structure of your teeth could be damaged, altering their shape and appearance.
- When you suffer a dental injury or accident, your teeth could chip or crack, changing their shape and size.
In addition to distorting your smile, misshapen teeth are weakened and can break with minimal pressure. Fitting your misshapen tooth with a dental crown is a common procedure that can help restore its shape, size, and appearance. Your dentist will take mounds of your misshapen teeth and make crowns to cover the entirety of the misshapen tooth.
To Cover Severely Discolored Teeth
Another common reason for needing a dental crown is to cover stained or discolored teeth. Discolored teeth can negatively affect self-esteem and overall confidence. Tooth discoloration is a dental problem caused by various factors, including smoking and alcohol use, gum disease, certain medications, and aging. Bonding and teeth whitening can restore discolored teeth.
However, when the discoloration is severe, these methods may be ineffective. In this case, your dentist will recommend dental crowns. Crowns are a viable solution for congenitally stained teeth because they cover the entire surface.
When you opt for dental crowns for your discolored teeth, your dentist will guide you through choosing a material that meets your aesthetic needs and fits your budget. Most individuals with discolored teeth want to achieve the white, pearly appearance of natural teeth. You can choose porcelain or ceramic crowns for their pleasant appearance.
However, this may only be recommended for the front teeth. For the back teeth that require more strategy, porcelain fused with metal may be a suitable material for the crowns. Before the dentist fits your stained teeth with crowns, they will assess your oral health for other complications and treat them before proceeding with the crowning procedure.
To Encase a Dental Implant
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root surgically inserted into the gums and jawbone. These artificial tooth roots are posts used to anchor an artificial replacement tooth. According to the National Institute of Health, dental implants are a common restorative procedure, and up to 30 million Americans live with them.
You may be a good candidate for a dental implant if you have lost your teeth through disease or trauma. Additionally, your dentist can recommend their extraction and replacement with dental implants when you have severely damaged teeth. Dental implants could be endosteal or subperiosteal. An endosteal dental implant is surgically attached to the jawbone before tooth attachment.
A subperiosteal implant, on the other hand, involves fitting a metal frame into the jawbone below the gums and using the frame to anchor the artificial tooth. Many patients prefer dental implants because they can mimic natural teeth, enhancing their smile. Additionally, these dental restorations are long-lasting and convenient.
A dental implant procedure is done in several appointments through these steps:
- At the initial consultation, your dentist will examine your teeth using different diagnostic tests to determine your suitability for the implants. You must have healthy teeth and gums to qualify for a dental implant.
- Potential bone graft. Your artist can recommend a bone graft if you do not have enough bone mass to support an implant. This strengthens your jawbone and creates a solid base for the implants.
- Titanium implant. For patients with enough jawbone mass or those who have recovered from a bone graft, a titanium implant is screwed into the jawbone. Your jawbone is then left to heal for up to six months.
- When the bone is completely healed, an abutment is added, and it sticks out of the gum.
- Placing a dental crown. The last step in the dental implant procedure is the placement of a dental crown. The abutment previously placed in the procedure attaches the crown to the implant. Crowns can be cemented or screwed into the abutment. The crowns must be placed correctly to align with the natural teeth.
Different types of crowns could be used for a dental implant, which acts as a replacement tooth. The crowns used to encase an implant are custom-made to mimic the natural color of your teeth.
Find Expert Dental Services Near Me
Your smile is your first impression of other people during your interactions. Broken, decayed, and discolored teeth distort your smile and affect your self-esteem. Additionally, the health of your teeth is a vital part of your overall health. The best way to maintain a pleasant and healthy smile is by caring for your teeth and gums. However, when oral health complications arise, you want to have them addressed immediately.
Dental crowns are a common procedure to restore your teeth' appearance, shape, and structure. You may need a dental crown to cover your decayed, damaged, or broken teeth. Additionally, your dentist can recommend crowns to cover a tooth after a root canal or encase a dental implant.
The outcome of a dental crown procedure can significantly impact your mileage. Therefore, you must consult with a reliable dentist. At Northridge Advanced Dentistry, we provide dental crowning and other restorative dentistry services for our Northridge, CA, clients. Contact us at 818-701-3010 to schedule a consultation.
