How Does a Dental Crown Protect Your Tooth?
A dental crown can be used to fix a wide range of dental issues. Also called caps, these are tooth-like shells that are used to encase an entire tooth. It serves multiple functions: protecting the tooth from further decay and restoring its appearance.
Issues that crowns are often used to fix:
- Chipped, broken or cracked teeth
- Badly discolored teeth
- Severely decayed teeth
- Infected teeth
- Short teeth
- Gaps between teeth
How a dental crown protects a tooth
Here are ways that a crown protects the wearer's tooth from further damage:
1. It keeps away things that can damage the tooth
A dental crown protects teeth by keeping them safe from all the irritants in the mouth. Saliva, bacteria, food particles and acids are responsible for most of the dental issues people develop. Since the crown fully encases the tooth, these substances cannot reach the affected tooth to cause more damage.
For example, acids in the mouth are responsible for the vast majority of tooth decay. Some of these acids get into the mouth via the things a person eats, while others are produced by oral bacteria. These acids eat away at the protective outer layer of tooth (enamel), leaving the more sensitive parts of a tooth exposed.
2. It reinforces the tooth and protects it from bite forces
A crown also protects one's teeth from the forces involved in chewing. This is particularly important if the tooth has already been damaged. A crown restores the structural integrity and function of the tooth, allowing the patient to chew and speak with the damaged tooth as they have always done.
3. It holds the tooth together
When a tooth is protected with a cap, any fragmented parts of the tooth are held in place by the crown. This prevents the tooth from breaking into small pieces over time. It makes dental crowns an effective way to fix teeth that have fragmented into multiple pieces.
What to expect when getting a crown
There is not much to getting a dental crown. It starts with an evaluation, during which the dentist examines the patient and their oral issues. If the dentist determines a crown is the best solution, the patient's tooth will be prepared. This might involve removing a portion of enamel to make sure the crown holds tightly onto the remainder of the tooth.
An impression of the patient's mouth is taken, and this is sent to a dental lab that makes crowns. It takes about two weeks for the prosthetic to be ready. The dentist will usually fit the patient with a temporary crown and send them on their way.
Once the crown is ready, the patient is called back for an appointment, during which the temporary crown is taken out and the permanent one installed.
Need a crown?
Stop by our Henderson office if you are dealing with a dental problem that requires the use of a crown.
Request an appointment here: http://www.hendersonfamilydentistry.com or call Henderson Family Dentistry at (903) 657-3139 for an appointment in our Henderson office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Google: Read our Yelp reviews.
Related Posts
Approval for dental implants puts you one step closer to restoring a complete, healthy smile. Dental implants can restore both the appearance and functionality of a full set of teeth. This way, patients can enjoy a full set of teeth along with a smile they enjoy showing off. The process is somewhat lengthy, so knowing…
Dental implants restore functionality to the smile, all while looking and feeling like natural teeth. They achieve this by fusing with the jawbone, creating a permanent, irremovable tooth replacement solution that does not slip or slide. This benefit makes them a great option for patients seeking an alternative to traditional dentures.Dental implants are metal screw-like…
Visiting the dentist can be an anxiety-inducing event for many people. The biggest reason for this is that general dentistry appointments are often associated with painful procedures and a perceived loss of control as you lay back and let the dentist and dental assistant perform their duties. It might also be possible that you are…
Dental implants can be an effective tooth replacement option for anyone missing one or a few teeth or those needing all their teeth replaced. Many consider implants state-of-the-art tooth replacement. However, to enjoy this option's many benefits, the patient must be a suitable candidate for the procedure. Here are some key factors to take into…