Dental crowns are one of the most important tools in a dentist’s arsenal. They have many different uses, for both cosmetic and restorative purposes. Dr. David J. Weinstock, a dentist in Bala Cynwyd, PA, discusses the many uses of dental crowns and how they can benefit your smile.
To Strengthen Your Natural Teeth
One of the most common uses for dental crowns is to stabilize a tooth after a root canal is performed. During a root canal procedure, the dental pulp and nerves in the tooth are removed. While they’re replaced with a biocompatible material, your tooth still may not be at its best. A dental crown gives you back the full functionality of your tooth and seals off the tooth from any further infection.
The biggest downside of getting a dental bridge is the effect it has on the teeth that support it. Dental bridges contribute to increased wear and tear on those anchor teeth, as well as a higher chance of tooth decay occurring in those teeth. You’re more likely to need dental fillings in these teeth. By putting a crown on each anchor tooth, this risk is eliminated. The dental crowns take on all of the stress from supporting the dental bridge.
Covering Misshapen and Discolored Teeth
A misshapen tooth can make you insecure about your smile. Depending on where the misshapen tooth is located in your mouth and what the defect is, it may also impact your ability to bite and chew. A custom dental crown goes completely over the misshapen tooth. Not only does this hide the defect, but you’ll also get back the full functionality of that tooth. Crowns are color-matched and sized to blend in with the rest of your smile seamlessly.
Discolored teeth are usually taken care of by professional teeth whitening. But there are some tooth stains that are resistant to these methods, particularly if they’re caused by genetics or medication. A dental crown can be used to cover the discolored tooth and match the color of the rest of your smile. If other teeth are able to be whitened with the traditional method, we can match the dental crown to whatever shade of white they are.
Taking Care of Damaged Teeth
When teeth are chipped or cracked, it may just be a cosmetic issue. When it’s more severe, this is considered a dental emergency and need to be taken care of right away. A dental crown can be used to fill out the part that was broken off, covering the tooth pulp, and giving you back full functionality in the tooth. A crown can also hold together a tooth that’s cracked. We want to do as conservative a treatment as we can to avoid tooth extraction.
The Final Restoration for Dental Implants
The final restoration for dental implants is most commonly a dental crown. This helps the restoration both look and feel as natural as possible. Dental implants topped with crowns are stable and give you back 100% of the bite function that you would have with a natural tooth.
Dental Crowns at Your Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania Dentist
Can a dental crown be the solution you need for your smile? Call us or schedule an appointment online.