When and Why Are Dental Crowns Necessary?
Dental crowns are tooth-coloured caps that help protect damaged teeth. They are the only dental restorations that can strengthen the teeth, enhancing functionality and restoring appearance. This makes them a reliable and extremely effective procedure to help save a tooth, preserving its structure and supporting weakened teeth. Learn more about these versatile dental restorations, when and why they may be needed and their unmatched benefits for protecting your teeth.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are like a custom made ‘helmet’ for the tooth, designed to strengthen and protect weakened teeth. They are used for extensive decay, dental injuries, teeth with multiple fillings, chips, cracks, or following root canal procedures. They are made from various materials, including porcelain, gold, or a combination of porcelain and metal.
Gold crowns are sometimes used for the very back molars due to their ability to withstand biting forces and their obvious metallic appearance. Porcelain crowns resemble natural teeth and are tailored to blend in seamlessly, making them an excellent choice for front and back teeth. Lastly, porcelain crowns infused with metal offer the perfect blend of aesthetics and strength with metal on the inside and white porcelain on the outside. Material selection depends on individual preferences, financial considerations, and professional recommendations.
The dental crown procedure usually involves two dental appointments. During the first one, your old filling material and decay are removed, the new filling is done, and tooth impressions are taken to prepare your crown. A temporary crown will be fitted to protect the tooth until the permanent crown is fabricated. At Whitehorse Dental, we prefer accuracy and strength of hand crafted bespoke crowns made in an Australian laboratory. As such, we rarely use same day machine made crowns as we feel the fit and strength to be slightly inferior.
The temporary crown will be removed at the follow-up appointment, and the area will be thoroughly cleaned. The new crown is then fixed with a strong bonding agent. Your dentist will ensure a secure fit and proper bite alignment, after which you’ll be ready to leave with a newly restored and strengthened tooth. With the proper aftercare, dental crowns can last for many years. The strength and durability of porcelain or gold ensure that you won’t have to worry about frequent replacements, making them a wise long-term investment for oral health.
When are Dental Crowns Needed?
Dental crowns may be recommended in the following situations:
Protecting Weakened Teeth
Dental crowns provide a protective barrier over teeth weakened due to fractures, large fillings or extensive decay. The crown covers your remaining natural tooth, protecting it from further damage and helping save it from extraction. If left vulnerable in its weakened state, it can crack even more or catch decay again. The bacteria from the cracks can also penetrate the gumline, increasing the risk of gum disease and infection. With a dental crown, you seal the damage, improving biting and chewing ability and appearance.
Saving Severely Decayed Teeth
Teeth with severe decay that cannot be adequately restored with dental fillings may need dental crowns to cover and protect the remaining tooth structure. Fillings are only suitable for small to moderate cavities. Overfilling the teeth can leave more filling inside the tooth than the actual structure. This can cause the filling to come out or break with regular use because of the weakened tooth structure, leading to frequent dental visits to get the filling done repeatedly. A dental crown is an effective and long-term solution for teeth that cannot be repaired with fillings.
Reinforcement After Root Canal Therapy
Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment are often weakened and more prone to fractures. Placing a dental crown after a root canal strengthens and reinforces it, reducing fracture risk and enhancing longevity.
Support for Dental Bridges
Dental bridges, which replace missing teeth, rely on adjacent teeth (abutment teeth) for support. Dental crowns are placed over the abutment teeth to provide stability and anchor the bridge in place, ensuring proper function and aesthetics.
Restoring the Appearance of Misshapen or Discoloured Teeth
Teeth that are misshapen, severely discoloured, or cosmetically unappealing may benefit from dental crowns to improve their appearance and restore a natural-looking smile. Crowns can be customised in shape, size, and colour to blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth and enhance overall smile aesthetics.
Strengthening Fractured or Broken Teeth
Teeth fractured, cracked, or broken due to trauma or injury may require dental crowns to rebuild and reinforce the damaged tooth structure. Crowns can effectively restore fractured teeth’ strength, function, and appearance.
Prosthetic Teeth for Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots used to support dental restorations, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures. Crowns are placed on top to mimic the appearance and function of natural teeth, helping provide a stable and aesthetically pleasing solution for replacing missing teeth.
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Restore Your Smile with Dental Crowns
Crowns can help prevent further damage or breakage of weakened teeth, preserving their integrity and function and allowing you to retain your natural teeth for a stronger and healthier smile. At Whitehorse Dental, we aim to protect your teeth and gums, helping you improve oral health with preventive care and restorative techniques. Whether you have extensive tooth decay or a weak tooth that needs to be protected, we provide tailored treatments suited to your specific needs. Book a consultation today.
