3 Reasons Why A Dental Crown Is a Good Idea

Here’s what you need to know about dental crowns and 3 times where they’re necessary.

Purpose of a Dental Crown

Just like a helmet on our heads, a crown serves as a similar protective “cap” for our teeth. It is tooth-shaped and placed over a damaged tooth to restore shape, size, strength, and overall appearance. Our dentists may place a dental crown for a variety of reasons, such as when a cavity is too large for a tooth-colored filling. 

How the Procedure Will Go

There is nothing to be afraid of with the dental crown procedure. We'll start by examining the tooth in need of the crown and take X-rays. Next, our dentists will file down and remove a part of the tooth’s outer layer. An impression will then be made of the trimmed down tooth and the surrounding teeth. We’ll place a temporary crown until the permanent version is back from the dental lab.

Once the crown has been created, we will ask that you return for a second visit to our Cadillac dental office to have it properly cemented onto your tooth.

A Dental Crown May Be Best If Your Tooth:

1. Is Weak or Broken

Facial trauma, hard foods, and excessive grinding or clenching can all cause tooth injury. A broken or weakened tooth needs proper protection or it is at risk for further complications. This is where a dental crown comes in. Our dentists will take impressions, have a dental crown created, and cement it into place for a healthy smile.

2. Needs Root Canal Treatment

Deep tooth decay or infection should never be ignored as it can negatively affect the tooth’s inner nerve and pulp. Pulp is the soft tissue located beneath the white enamel and the subsequent hard layer, dentin. It contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.

When the nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, bacteria begin to spread inside of the pulp chamber. This can cause an infection or even an abscessed tooth. To eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal and prevent reinfection, our dentists will perform necessary treatment. 

We’ll carefully remove the inflamed or infected pulp and clean the inside of the tooth before sealing it back up. Our dentists will finish restoring the tooth by placing a dental crown on top. The crown will prevent the tooth from breaking and give it strength. 

3. Is Missing and Requires a Dental Bridge

Made up of a false tooth held in place by two dental crowns, a bridge literally “bridges” a gap left behind by a missing tooth. It also prevents existing teeth from drifting out of position and distributes the forces in your bite properly. 

Our dentists will cement the two crowns used onto each of the abutment, or adjacent, teeth that support the dental bridge. The result is a seamless smile that no longer suffers from the difficulties that missing teeth bring. 

Additional Use for Crowns

Another solution for a missing tooth is a dental implant. An artificial tooth root surgically embedded into the jawbone, a dental implant is placed in the open space left behind. For complete restoration, a crown is placed on top of the implant for a permanent fixture that looks and operates like a natural tooth.

The combination of a dental implant paired with a crown provides patients suffering from tooth loss with an alternative to dentures if that option isn’t for them. Dental implants also preserve existing teeth, restore the ability to chew, and prevent jawbone deterioration.

Make an Appointment

A dental crown is not a one-trick pony. It has several restorative uses when it comes to your smile and can give you the beautiful look you deserve. Our dentists in Cadillac, MI, can assess a tooth that is damaged or gone missing to determine whether a crown would suit you best. Call LifeSmiles Dentistry today at (231) 775-8281 to request an appointment.