Dental crowns are one of the most important tools a dentist has in their arsenal. Crowns can be used for many procedures, both cosmetic and restorative. Dr. Suman Chibb of Owings Mills Dental Care, a dentist in Owings Mills, MD, explains the many uses of dental crowns.
Strengthening Your Natural Teeth
One of the most common uses for dental crowns is to stabilize the tooth after a root canal procedure. When you get a root canal, the dental pulp inside of it is removed due to infection, leaving a hollow space. While this space is filled with a biocompatible material, a dental crown is often placed to give you full functionality back in the tooth. It also seals off the tooth to prevent further infection.
The biggest downside to getting a dental bridge is the strain it places on the anchor teeth. They experience increased wear and tear and are more susceptible to tooth decay. It can lead to needing dental fillings, a root canal, or even an extraction. Placing dental crowns over these teeth can save natural teeth. All of the strain from the bridge will be taken on by the dental crown.
Covering a Misshapen or Discolored Tooth
A misshapen tooth can make you insecure about your smile. You shouldn’t feel like you have to cover up your smile every time you laugh. Depending on the defect and where the misshapen tooth is located in your mouth, you may also have trouble biting and chewing. A dental crown is custom-made to blend in with the rest of your teeth. It’ll also give you back full functionality in any tooth that gave you trouble before.
Professional teeth whitening is what you may think of when whitening discolored teeth. But there are some stains, like those caused by genetics or certain medications, that are resistant to traditional methods. A dental crown covers the entire tooth, so you can make the whole thing the shade of white you’re looking to achieve.
Taking Care of a Damaged Tooth
When you chip or break a tooth, it’ll just be cosmetic damage if you’re lucky. When it goes further than that, you may have to look into emergency dentistry to get it fixed right away. A dental crown helps both cosmetically and restores the tooth. Any part that’s chipped or broken off will be replaced by the crown. It can hold a cracked tooth together and prevents the dental pulp from being exposed, risking infection.
The Final Restoration for Dental Implants
Dental implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement. Particularly with dental crowns as the final restoration, they look and feel the most natural. It’ll be hard for you to tell that you ever had a missing tooth!
Dental Crowns at Your Owings Mills, Maryland Dentist
Can dental crowns be the solution to your dental problems? Call us or schedule an appointment online.