A dental crown can be made from several materials, including:
- All-ceramic
- Metal
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM)
- Zirconia
Each material comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, but they are all reliable. Your dentist will suggest the material that she thinks is best for your smile and circumstances.
Here are five reasons a dentist will suggest a dental crown:
1. Break or crack
Breaks and cracks are most often associated with sports injuries, car accidents, and crunchy foods. Though not all of these incidents require emergency treatment, damage to a tooth always calls for some sort of dental visit.
Even if the damaged tooth isn’t causing pain, it is much more vulnerable to disease and decay than before. The chip or crack open up the inner, sensitive part of the tooth because they remove part of the protective barrier—the enamel. The dentist will recommend a dental crown if the damage is severe enough.
2. Large cavity
During regular dental visits, dentists always check for signs of cavities. Usually, when a patient visits the dentist at least every six months, the dentist can treat the area before the bacteria causes significant damage. However, when bacteria fester without interference from a professional, the cavity will create a large hole in the tooth, weakening the entire structure.
In these cases, the dentist will first treat the cavity by cleaning it out and filling it in, then place a crown to protect the weakened tooth.
3. Root canal
Patients often require a root canal because of severe decay, frequent dental procedures on the same tooth, a damaged crown, or a severe chip or crack in a tooth.
Once the root canal is complete, dentists usually place a dental crown over the natural tooth structure to strengthen the tooth and restore its function.
4. Excessive wear
A worn-down tooth is typically shorter than the patient’s other teeth. This is typically caused by teeth grinding (bruxism), acid reflux, and consuming a highly acidic diet. Wearing down a tooth is usually a slow process but may be accompanied by dental pain. Over time, a person will notice that their teeth aren’t as long or sharp as they once were.
After diagnosing and treating the underlying problem, your dentist will most likely recommend a dental crown to protect and restore your tooth.
5. Dental implants
To replace missing teeth, dentists often recommend dental implants. This new dental technology completely restores the tooth root and crown while looking and feeling natural. Dental implants are one of the safest and most reliable tooth-replacement options.
The dental implant is the small, screw-like rod that is inserted into the patient’s jaw—this restores jawbone density and provides ample support for the rest of the restoration. Once the implant has integrated with the jawbone, the dentist will permanently secure the dental crown to the top of it.
Lombard Dental Crown Placement
At Dental Care of Lombard, Dr. Julie Glud offers several restorative dentistry options. Though dental crowns are a popular fix, she only recommends them when absolutely necessary.
Contact our friendly dental team today at (630) 629-5700 to learn if a dental crown is right for you.
