Dental crowns are cap-like fixtures that professionals may use to protect, restore, or fortify a patient’s damaged teeth. By doing so, they can help improve several dental conditions, like the six we’ll look at in today’s list:
A Chipped or Broken Tooth
A filling is the most common solution for a chipped or broken tooth since these are shallow surface marks. However, severe cases such as cracking or shattering may need a dental crown as the damage is much deeper.
The teeth that crack the most are your molars since they’re close to the jaw joint and are subject to higher pressures when chewing. This can cause them to break or crack. If a molar is fractured, it is important to have it repaired before other symptoms appear. This can often prevent the need for root canal treatment.
A Malformed or Small Tooth
Coverage via dental crowns is also a treatment option for teeth smaller than usual due to congenital conditions. This can help improve the teeth’s aesthetics and correct their size or orientation concerns.
Malocclusion
If your bite is misaligned, you may be recommended to get a dental crown by your cosmetic dentist. Dental crowns can help correct the misalignment by shortening or lengthening the teeth.
Poor-Quality Dental Crowns
Dental crowns that are marketed as permanent aren’t exactly truthful. Crowns don’t last forever, just a long time, depending on how well you take care of them. The average lifespan for a crown is 10–15 years, although this can vary depending on factors such as the patient’s bite, nutrition, and oral hygiene.
Much like real teeth, dental crowns may need to be replaced if it becomes cracked or damaged, especially when the porcelain chips off and causes the crown to deteriorate or fracture. Sometimes, these problems are purely aesthetic and can be fixed with retreatment. However, the old crown must be removed and replaced in other cases.
If you want to avoid this, take care of them as you would actual pearly whites: don’t chew too hard, eat healthy foods, and brush and floss regularly.
Root Canal Work
A posterior tooth is the likeliest to fracture if it has undergone a root canal but does not have a crown. As such, teeth that have had root canals are more fragile than a tooth that has not. This is because the decay has been removed, revealing where the nerves and jawbone may be inside the tooth.
When a tooth with a root canal breaks, it is typically impossible to save the tooth that needs to be extracted. If you have had a root canal done to relieve pain and save a tooth, the process is not complete until the crown is cemented.
Severe Tooth Decay
A tooth with significant decay has a lot of damage and is in danger of further degeneration. A crown covering can help eliminate the current damage to the tooth and protect it for years to come. Regular dental visits help detect minor deterioration pockets before they become bigger problems and require the need of more dental crowns.
Fit Yourself with Dental Crowns in Manassas
Book your appointment at Manassas Smiles for dental crowns in Manassas, VA! Our dentists offer patients complete care services, including basic, cosmetic, and periodontal procedures. Set one now through our website!