When a Dental Crown May Be Right For You
Exploring the option of a dental crown often starts with recognizing specific dental issues. Whether you’re experiencing discomfort or our Washington, MI, dentists have identified a concern during your routine checkup, understanding when a crown can be beneficial is essential.
Here are 4 times in which the will not only restore functionality but also bring confidence back to your smile.
Recap: What a Dental Crown Does
A is primarily designed to protect a natural tooth that’s located underneath. Think of them like a helmet for your tooth. Of course, there is also the added benefit that crowns aesthetically look nice and seamlessly blend in with a patient’s smile.
A form of permanent dental restoration, crowns will firmly stay put once cemented in place by our dentists. The most popular type of crowns are made of tooth-colored porcelain or ceramic, though pediatric dentists often use stainless steel crowns for children.
Dental Crowns Are Typically Needed For:
1. Teeth With Severe Cracks
Broken teeth or those that have suffered damage of any kind are at risk for decay and infection. If the tooth is cracked, pieces of it may even have trouble staying together. Fortunately, our dentists can use a porcelain crown to help strengthen your tooth in either situation.
Read More → What to Do When Your Tooth Is Cracked
With a protective crown on top, your tooth can be restored and function like normal. You’ll need to care for the new crown much like your actual teeth. This means avoiding breakage when possible. No chewing on ice, hard candies, or using your teeth as tools.
2. Deep Tooth Decay
Sometimes a cavity is large enough that a tooth-colored filling alone won’t work. When this happens, our dentists will instead place a crown after the decay has been taken out and the tooth is cleaned.
Much like a composite resin filling, a dental crown is made to match the shade of your natural enamel. This makes it difficult for others to spot your restoration when you smile, speak, or laugh.
3. The Root Canal Process
Root canal therapy requires our dentists to remove any infected pulp from within a tooth. This is done through a small access hole in the tooth made by a dental drill. Thanks to numbing medication and local anesthetic, the procedure is relatively painless for patients.
Related Post → Is Root Canal Therapy Painful?
At the end of the procedure, your tooth is cleaned and sealed with a filling so bacteria cannot re-enter. It is very common for patients to then have a dental crown placed to protect the vulnerable tooth and the temporary filling removed.
4. There’s Evidence of Bruxism
Many adults suffer from a condition known as bruxism which is a term used to describe excessive grinding or clenching of the teeth. Not all are aware of these behaviors, however, as a majority of individuals grind or clench while asleep.
It’s not unheard of for patients experiencing bruxism to wear down teeth or even break one, depending on the severity of their condition. Our dentists will subsequently repair any affected tooth with a crown and create a custom-made night guard if a similar device is not already being used.
Choose the Protective Power of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns stand out as a versatile and effective solution for a range of significant smile issues. Whether your teeth are weakened by severe cracks, worn down by bruxism, compromised by extensive decay, or in need of protection after a root canal, our dentists in Washington, MI, can use a crown to help preserve the structural integrity of damaged teeth and enhance your smile aesthetically. Call Romeo Family Dentistry today at (586) 752-3589 to request an appointment.