The Many Purposes Of A Dental Crown
No doubt you have heard of a dental crown. You probably know someone who has one, although you may not be aware of it unless they've told you. A dental crown is a fixed dental prosthetic that covers or "caps" a compromised tooth. In fact, they are also referred to as caps. If you are having trouble with one of your teeth, your doctor may recommend a dental crown for a variety of reasons.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns serve many purposes. They are used to replace a missing tooth. In such cases, they are bonded to an implant post. They are used after root canals to strengthen and protect the tooth; and they can be used to improve the shape, color, alignment, or appearance of a tooth. While porcelain and ceramic crowns can be tinted to match your natural dentition, and therefore are great for front and noticeable back teeth, gold may be recommended for back molars because of their strength, especially for bruxers. A dental crown may be the treatment of choice for the following:
- To cover a tooth that is too small
- To cover an oddly shaped or discolored tooth
- To replace a large filling when there is little natural tooth structure remaining
- To protect a weak tooth from breaking, cracking, or fracturing
- To restore a broken, cracked, chipped, or fractured tooth
- As part of a 3-unit bridge
- To cover a dental implant
- To protect and strengthen a tooth that had root canal treatment
Placement
Before a crown is fabricated and placed, the tooth in question must be reduced in size so the crown will fit properly. Your dentist will take an impression, and together you will decide upon the correct shade so your crown blends naturally with your surrounding dentition.