A dental crown (also called a “cap”) is a restoration made from tooth-shaded ceramic (sometimes combined with metal) that fits over an affected tooth to restore the structure, function, and/or esthetics of the tooth. There are many advantages to a crown restoration. Read on to learn about four of the many benefits that dental crowns may provide. You can also check out this link: https://doray2024.wpenginepowered.com/dental-services/restorative-dentistry/crowns-bridges/.
How Do Dental Crowns Help My Smile?
Replacing Weakened Tooth Enamel
Your teeth have a hard outer layer called enamel that covers the sensitive and vulnerable interior. Though durable, your tooth enamel may erode over time or be worn away by harmful dental habits, leaving the inner layers of the teeth exposed and in danger from plaque and bacteria. There may also be tooth sensitivity and increased risk of tooth fracture once the enamel is weakened.
Enamel cannot regrow on its own, so often a crown (or in some cases a porcelain veneer) can cover the tooth to replace the thinned, broken, eroded, or worn enamel and to restore your smile. The crown can protect the tooth for many years with proper care and maintenance.
Repairing Broken Teeth
While some wear and tear are expected on your dentition over time, extensive cavities, grinding or clenching habits, large fillings, root canal treatment, or accidental trauma to teeth can result in a fractured tooth. Depending on the extent of damage to the tooth, a crown may be able to restore the tooth to the optimal structure, function, and esthetics and to protect the tooth from additional damage.
In some cases with more extensive tooth damage, a crown may still be a possible restoration even though additional treatment may be needed to preserve the tooth and to create a sound foundation for a well-fitting crown. In some cases, a tooth may require root canal treatment, orthodontic treatment, or possibly even gum surgery in order to restore its integrity with a crown.
Supporting Other Dental Work
When teeth are missing and implants are not used, multiple crowns may be joined together to make a dental bridge to replace the missing tooth or teeth. In addition to restoring natural teeth, a crown may also be used to restore a dental implant. Once the implant (which is basically a titanium root replacement for a missing tooth) is integrated, a dental crown is used in combination with an abutment restoration to restore the dental implant, thereby replacing the missing tooth.
When multiple crowns are used in the case of multiple implants, they may possibly be joined together as an implant-supported bridge for added stability or restoration of function and esthetics. Bridges on natural teeth or dental implants are designed to look like single teeth even though they are joined together.
Brightening Discolored Teeth
Crowns may also offer cosmetic benefits to restore your smile. For example, a crown may be a better restoration to cover a tooth with severe discoloration or other esthetic defects. When designing crowns for esthetic restoration of your smile, we consider the size, shape, and color of your teeth to create a smile design that will achieve your dental esthetic goals.
Dr. Doray and Dr. Conover will be happy to meet with you to discuss how dental crowns (or other restorations such as porcelain veneers or cosmetic resin bonding) could best restore your teeth and your smile to the optimal condition.