The Different Uses of Dental Crowns

Thanks to modern dental technology, there’s no dental problem that’s too difficult to address. You no longer have to feel unhappy about your smile or change your diet due to poor bite. Whether you have misaligned, cracked, severely decayed, or uneven teeth, you have several solutions to consider.

Generally, dental crown treatment addresses average to major dental damage or decay. For instance, if you have a tooth with damage or decay, a crown is typically the last resort to save the tooth. Otherwise, you may have to have it extracted and replace it with a dental implant, bridge, or denture.

What is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown, otherwise known as a dental cap, is a tooth-colored shell placed over the visible part of a tooth. A crown is needed to improve a damaged tooth’s appearance, size, shape, function, and strength. Usually, a crown is made of different materials, including metal alloys, gold, porcelain, ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and zirconia.

Porcelain, ceramic, and zirconia crowns blend well with natural teeth, making them ideal options for cosmetic dentistry. On the other hand, metal and gold crowns offer excellent strength and durability but have poor aesthetics. They are better suited for back teeth restorations.

Generally, a crown is customized according to your unique dental structure to provide natural results. The tooth needs to be filed down to allow the crown to fit properly. If there isn’t enough structure for the crown to hold on properly, the dentist will have to build up the tooth before placing the crown.

Uses of Dental Crowns

A dental crown’s uses are:

• Protect a broken or worn-out tooth

A cracked, broken, chipped, or worn-down tooth can cause difficulty eating, chewing, and brushing. It can affect your oral and overall well-being. Putting a crown over the tooth covers the damage and improves the tooth’s size, shape, and strength. You can now eat, chew, brush, and floss normally without feeling pain or discomfort.

• Cover a dental implant

A dental implant offers some of the most natural results. After installing a dental implant, a tooth-colored crown is used to cover an implant for a natural appearance and to offer protection. While the implant can last for a lifetime, the crown should be replaced every 10-15 years.

• Anchor a dental bridge

Dental bridges replace missing teeth. Tooth-colored crowns are placed on the adjacent teeth to anchor the bridge.

• Hide teeth stains and discoloration

If you have yellowed, discolored, or stained teeth that won’t respond to teeth whitening or cosmetic treatments you can use tooth-colored porcelain and ceramic crowns to enhance the appearance of your tooth.

• Protect a tooth after a root canal

If you have a severely decayed tooth, your dentist can perform a root canal to remove the decayed or inflamed parts of the tooth’s pulp. After the root canal, the tooth can weaken. The tooth is filled, and a dental crown is placed to protect and strengthen it.

How Long do Crowns Last?

Typically, the lifespan of a dental crown depends on several factors, including:

• Type of material used. Porcelain and all-ceramic dental crowns last for about 10-20 years. Metal, gold, and zirconia crowns offer more strength and durability and can last longer than 20 years.
• The location of the tooth. A crown placed at the molars and premolars will likely wear out sooner due to the grinding and chewing activities.
• Oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene will protect your mouth and preserve your crown for longer.
• Personal habits. While a crown is strong and durable, it’s still vulnerable to damages such as cracks and breaks. To ensure your crown lasts longer, avoid damaging habits such as smoking and chewing hard and sticky items such as nails, ice, and nuts. Also, avoid harsh dental products.

Schedule an Appointment Today

For more information about dental crown procedures and treatments, contact Weymouth Dental Associates to book an appointment.