If you’ve ever broken a tooth, then you’ve likely had a dental crown put on. What you may not know is what exactly a crown is and how they are used by the dentist. The crown itself is a very versatile dental application that works to restore the shape of a tooth as well as protect it from further damage and restore the patient’s ability to eat the foods they love.
A dental crown is used for a few different things depending on the needs of the patient. While most of us are familiar with crowns to cap a broken tooth, the dentist may decide on a specific type of crown for a particular reason. In fact, crowns are for much more than just fixing a broken tooth.
Knowing what a crown is used for can help when you have a dental situation that needs addressing. You may find that a crown is a viable solution for more than just one problem. A crown is not just a cosmetic procedure. It has more uses, such as preventing tooth damage and helping to support other dental applications.
Here are some of the more common uses:
This is what most people think of when they go to the dentist for a crown. Typically, when a tooth becomes broken, the dentist will file the damaged tooth down to a proper shape and then apply a crown to restore the tooth to its natural look and shape. Crowns come in a variety of materials, from composite materials that imitate real teeth to pure gold.
The “cap” is placed over the tooth and cemented into place using special dental cement so that it stays solid even when eating and drinking.
In some cases, the tooth may not actually be broken; it may be severely weakened due to damage from a large filling from a cavity or damage to the root system from having a root canal treatment. In these cases, the dentist may use a crown to help protect the remainder of the tooth from damage and support the chewing and biting surface to make eating easier and pain-free.
In cases where the tooth is not broken, the cap is fitted to cover the existing tooth instead of shaving the tooth down and then is cemented in place to provide a stable biting surface while the remainder of the tooth underneath is left alone.
In cases where a patient doesn’t have the bone or tooth structure to support certain dental applications like bridges or implants, the dentist may use a crown to help anchor the application and give it the proper support it needs to function properly. The crown is usually placed on top of an existing tooth adjacent to where the dental application is going in so that it can act as support without having an impact on the mouth any further.
These are just a few of the different uses that ad dentist has for a crown.
Request an appointment here: https://www.elmstfamilydental.com or call Elm Street Family Dental at (541) 393-9196 for an appointment in our Albany office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges in Albany, OR.
A dental crown is used to restore teeth that are in bad shape. Oftentimes, they are needed for teeth that have become cracked, chipped or broken. Additionally, general dentists recommend them for teeth that have severely decayed due to an infection. While they are one of the most common dental restorations, many wonder how long…
If you have ever dealt with a damaged tooth, you would know the importance of quick dental restoration treatment, particularly those provided through same day dentistry. A damaged tooth can be painful and cause inconvenience, so it can be exasperating to have to wait hours for a dental appointment or to get a new dental…
Same day dental procedures are popular for a variety of treatments, including tooth extractions and implants. Fortunately, for some clients, having a tooth taken out and an implant put in during the same appointment is possible. Known as immediate implants, these provide numerous benefits for eligible candidates.One of the biggest advantages of the same day…
A dental bridge is a common method of teeth replacement in which a bridge of replacement teeth, known as pontics, are attached to crowns or the natural teeth on each side of the gap left by missing teeth. They are a great way to restore the appearance and health of your smile after tooth loss,…
The smile makeover process may include one or 10 appointments, depending on the patient's desires…
Cosmetic dental services can help create positive changes to your teeth, improving the aesthetics of…
The ideal place to go for treatment when you have a dental emergency should be…
Toothaches tend to occur as the worst possible times and they are usually an indicator…
Discomfort is normal for people who wear dentures if the mouth has changed. However, a…
Thinking about getting a smile makeover? There have been many recent advancements in the dental…
