When Is a Dental Crown Recommended?

When a dental practitioner recommends a dental crown, it may not be up to the patient. These dental devices are used to treat various conditions that cause a tooth to need serious work. When a crown is required, it usually means that the tooth it covers is too far gone to be useful, but it may not need to be extracted. A dental crown may be used in conjunction with other dental treatments, such as a root canal or a dental implant. Discover some of the reasons why a dentist may place a crown and the importance of the treatment.

The purpose of a dental crown

A dental crown is a covering or a cap molded to fit a patient's teeth. Their purpose is to restore strength and function to a damaged tooth or teeth by taking a tooth's shape and helping it function as it normally would. Crowns are not the same as implants as they can cover still-existing teeth. Implants are only utilized when the dentist must pull a tooth. Crowns are made of various materials, including metals, porcelain, composite resin, and ceramics, depending on patient preference. However, the composite resin is the most common crown material due to its color and durability.

Conditions that may warrant the use of a crown

Some dental health conditions require a crown to help keep the integrity of the tooth. Removing a tooth is not something a dentist wants to do unless the situation makes it necessary, so every measure is taken to save the tooth. The most noticeable is tooth decay, cracked or chipped teeth, or after a root canal replacement surgery. 

Tooth decay

The most common reason for a crown placement is when too much of a tooth has been compromised by decay. Some cavities are too large to fill, but the dentist must remove the bacteria and seal the hole. If the cavity is too large, a large portion of the tooth can need removal. A crown becomes necessary to seal the cavity and reinforce what remains of the tooth.

Cracks or chips

Dental incidents happen that may leave a tooth with a crack or chip. While some chips are not detrimental to the tooth's health, cracks and fissures usually are. A fissure, even a small one, allows food and bacteria to gain entry inside the tooth. A significant infection can occur when this happens, causing pain and permanent damage to the nerve root. Some cracks require a crown to keep the tooth from breaking further.

Root canal

When the inside of the tooth becomes infected from severe decay, it can seriously damage the teeth and gums. To fix it, a dentist has to open the tooth, clear out the infected pulp and then inject the hole with medicine to keep the infection from spreading. The procedure is known as a root canal and ends with a crown. Once the pulp is cleared out, there often is not enough tooth left. The crown also protects the medicine and allows it to do its job.

Possible outcomes of not receiving a crown

If a patient is made aware that they need a crown but choose not to get one, their decision can result in many negative side effects. The most common is that their tooth or teeth can become loose and fall out. Another possibility is that a weekend tooth may break, leaving the dentin layer exposed, leading to infection of their nerves. 

Not receiving a dental crown may also lead to sensitivity issues with heat or coldness in the mouth area where the tooth used to be located before it fell out or broke off completely due to improper care while attached. These sensations could persist long after removal if left untreated properly by taking precautions against their effects each day before going about normal activities, such as eating. 

Conclusion

There are several reasons why you might news a dental crown. If a tooth is broken, missing due to injury or decay, or receives a root canal replacement procedure, we can repair it with a dental crown. Do not hesitate to schedule an appointment, as doing so can result in more permanent damage that a crown cannot fix. 

At The Smile Spa, we offer dental crowns as a treatment option in the Agoura Hills area. To learn more about our services and process, visit us at https://agourahillscosmeticdentists.com. Alternatively, to determine if a dental crown is the right treatment option for you, call us at (818) 573-2196 to schedule a consultation. 

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