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How Dental Crowns Protect Your Teeth

Dentist working on dental crowns

When it comes to oral health, there are many ways you can help prevent disease and tooth decay just by following a few basic daily oral hygiene practices. However, sometimes this is not enough to avoid needed dental repairs. One very common procedure that many adults and some children end up having is the placement of dental crowns. Dental crowns are a great way to improve your smile and dental health by covering teeth that might have some damage. 

When are Dental Crowns Necessary?

A dental crown is really just a “cap” that is placed over an already existing tooth. This can be done for a wide range of reasons such as to protect a tooth that has been damaged by decay, to help hold an existing tooth together that is severely cracked, damaged, or has had needed a lot of fillings, to help hold a dental bridge in place, and dental crowns can even be used to help with solely cosmetic appearances.

Why are Dental Crowns Placed on Damaged Teeth?

In most cases, the goal for your dentist is to protect and repair your teeth, and crowns are often a great way to help restore a patient’s natural teeth. Unfortunately, there are situations where a tooth has undergone a lot of damage, but if the root of the tooth is still good, a very simple dental crown can help restore a smile back to its original glory. By placing a crown over a severely cracked or weakened tooth, it helps seal and maintain the original tooth and it also helps the patient be able to do normal tasks like talking and chewing without having to worry about that damaged tooth. The other benefit to a dental crown, as opposed to a more invasive procedure, like an implant, is that it is a more economical option for the patient and more individuals can qualify for dental crowns as opposed to implants. Crowns help you keep and protect your damaged tooth while restoring its function and your smile!

What Does Getting a Dental Crown Entail?

If you end up getting a dental crown, there are a few basic steps that your dentist will likely follow. First and foremost, an xray will be done to fully examine the state of the tooth and its roots in order to avoid potential infections. A root canal might be necessary for a tooth with extreme decay, and this would be performed prior to having the dental crown placed. Next, the tooth will be reshaped in order to make room for the dental crown, or if there is not enough tooth to support the crown, your dentist will use filler in order to give your original tooth a big enough foundation for the crown to be placed. After the original tooth is reshaped, impressions will be taken of your mouth in order to get the right size and shape of the crown manufactured. You and your dentist will also choose the material used for your crown (typically porcelain, ceramic, or zirconia). Once your crown is manufactured and ready, it will be placed over the original tooth and cemented into place. This procedure is typically done over the span of two appointments in order to allow time for your perfectly shaped dental crown to be made. 

This very simple and common procedure will result in the patient having a good as new smile, complete and pain free use, and all while protecting and maintaining the original tooth!

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