Tooth restorations in dentistry happen all the time. There is always a patient who is not happy with how his/her teeth look like. Tooth restoration is the basis of dentistry because it works on saving the natural tooth and maintaining it for as long as possible.
What Are Dental Crowns?
They are dental appliances used for tooth restoration.
They feature tooth-shaped porcelain shells that are worn over teeth. They are made to cover the entire exterior of a tooth.
Tooth crowns are different from other restorative procedures like dental fillings because of the coverage they offer. Crowns more or less replace the enamel of a natural tooth, while fillings cover but the surface of the tooth.
Do Dental Crowns Differ?
Dental crowns are offered in different materials to suit the varying patients’ preferences. The differences are also necessary to suit the different types of teeth that require restoration. For example, a tooth crown for front teeth should be carefully picked, accounting for the cosmetic effects of the crown. As for the back teeth, comparing dental crown vs dental bridge is required to consider the strength of the material used. Back teeth are involved in heavy chewing, which requires a sturdy material to withstand the pressure.
When Do You Need Dental Crowns?
Getting dental crowns can be a matter of preference. However, it is not the only factor that affects your choice. More often than not, our dentist in Carlsbad CA will be the one to determine whether you need tooth crowns or not. It is why a diagnosis is paramount for every dental problem in dentistry. If you are thinking of getting tooth crowns, here are some of the reasons that could merit getting them:
- Cracked tooth treatment – a crack on your tooth is a cosmetic disaster. This is especially if it is on the front teeth. However, cracked teeth cause other problems. For one, the tooth is weakened. Any forceful impact on it, say, when chewing, can cause breakage of that tooth.
- Broken tooth treatment – a broken tooth should be treated with equal urgency as a cracked tooth, if not more. It can cause damage to the internal parts of a tooth, it left untreated. It may also encourage bacteria to make way into the insides of the tooth, causing more dental problems. It is equally a cosmetic problem when part of your tooth is missing.
- Missing teeth replacement – losing a mature adult tooth is not a pleasant experience. It makes it uncomfortable to chew hard foods. It can even lower your self-confidence. Besides that, one missing tooth creates a weak link. It increases your chances of losing other adjacent teeth. Replacing it is, therefore, the best decision you can make for your teeth. In this case, dental crowns have to be used alongside other treatments. This includes dental bridges and dental implants. The reason is that tooth crowns only features a shell-like capping that can only replace the enamel of a tooth. Therefore, for it to replace a missing tooth, it requires support. The support is offered by adjacent teeth for dental bridges. For implants, the support is offered by the metal fixtures installed in the jawbone.
- Decayed teeth treatment – tooth decay is very common in dentistry. It affects most adults as well as children. Pulling out an adult tooth because of tooth decay should not be the primary option you choose. The infection on the tooth can be removed, and then a crown used to cap the surface for a transformed look. This way, you do not have to remove your natural tooth. You only get to replace the damaged enamel structure.
- Discolored teeth – did you know that not all stains easily come out with whitening gels? Some stains are stubborn. This can make it uncomfortable for you to walk around with stained teeth and still be confident. Luckily, dental crowns can be worn over the stained teeth. This will improve the appearance of your teeth instantly.
- Misshapen teeth – some patients have unusually shaped teeth. This can be due to accidents, teeth grinding, or natural causes. For such, dental crowns are used to cover up the flaws of the teeth.
