Protect and Strengthen Teeth with Dental Crowns

Dental crowns have been used to protect and strengthen teeth for a very long time. The improved materials used coupled with additional applications have only made their use much more helpful in maintaining healthy dentition.

Crown Applications

Broken, fractured, or severely decayed teeth can be saved with a dental crown. Once a tooth is broken or is no longer treatable due to extensive decay, the tooth is modified leaving enough of the base to cement a crown in place. Maintaining the base of the tooth is important … although many patients may believe extraction is a better option, once a tooth is removed the empty space can result in many problems. Maintaining original dentition is almost always a better solution to extraction.

If bacteria has permeated the tooth or a trauma has occurred where the nerve has sustained damage, a root canal (endodontic therapy) may be required to save the tooth. An small access point is created in the tooth; the contents of the root canals are removed; and the access point is sealed. Sealing the tooth is often completed using a dental crown.

If tooth loss should occur, the patient may wish to replace missing dentition with either a partial or bridge. An even more permanent means to tooth replacement involves dental implants. A crown is used to complete this type of tooth replacement.

Crowns Are Better Than Ever

The materials used with dental crowns today provide a seamless and practically undetectable repair option. Advancements made in aesthetics, strength, and endurance make today’s crowns so much more important to dentistry than the metals or gold used in crowns for so many years.

Porcelain crowns can be made to match the size, contour, and color of surrounding teeth making the addition of a dental crown an ideal treatment option.

Caring for Crowns

Once your dental crown has been cemented in place, the same care you extend for all your teeth is all that is needed. Brush twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste; floss every day to remove what your toothbrush missed and to help maintain gum health (your dentist will demonstrate the correct technique to floss a crowned tooth); and visit our dentist every six months for cleaning.