How To Know If You Need a Dental Crown
August 28, 2023 9:00 amDental crowns are custom-made caps that seamlessly blend with your natural teeth. Dentists use them for various reasons. Curious about when you might need a dental crown? Let’s explore the five most common scenarios:
#1: You Have Extensive Tooth Decay
Minor cavities can be fixed with fillings, but if the cavity is large enough, we may need to place a crown. If too much of a tooth is filling material, it becomes brittle and can fracture. Recurrent decay, or decay around an existing filling, may require a dental crown because the new filling would be too large. We can use crowns for teeth too weak to support fillings and for teeth with large fillings.
#2: You Broke Your Tooth
Chips, breaks, and fractures weaken a tooth’s structure and may expose the tooth nerve. Crowns restore a tooth and protect it from further damage. You may not know you’ve broken a tooth, but you’ll likely feel increased sensitivity. If you suddenly become more sensitive to hot, cold, sweet, sour, or acidic foods and drinks, please get in touch with us.
#3: You Have Severely Stained Teeth
Professional teeth whitening can lighten many stains, but some stains are too severe or intrinsic for teeth whitening alone. We can color-match a crown to your smile and place it over a stained tooth.
#4: You Got a Root Canal
Root canals remove an infection from a tooth, saving it from extraction, but a tooth is never quite as strong after a root canal. A crown serves as a protective cap that keeps bacteria out and supports the tooth’s structure.
#5: You Got a Dental Implant
Dental implants are the most natural tooth replacement. We first place a biocompatible post into your jaw, replacing the missing tooth root. For individual teeth, crowns are often the best substitute for the tooth itself.
Dental Crowns at River City Dental in Fort Smith, AR
Dental crowns are a versatile treatment with restorative and cosmetic benefits! When cared for properly with good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist, they last around 10 years before replacement is needed. Have questions or want to book an appointment at our office? Please reach out today!
Image from Authority Dental under CC 2.0
