You may have heard the pun “My Dentist Says I Need a Crown… I Know, Right?” Although you know your dentist is referring to a crown on your tooth rather than on your head, do you know the main dental concerns that require a crown?
What is a Crown?
The tooth is made up of two main parts: the root and the crown. The root is covered by gums and bone and the crown is part of the tooth that is visible above the gum line. Due to certain dental issues, this part of the tooth may need to be replaced and restored. This restoration is called a crown, or sometimes a cap. The crown encases a damaged or weakened tooth and becomes its new outer surface.
Why Do I Need a Crown?
Weak/Fractured Tooth: If a tooth is weakened by a cavity or fracture, it may need to be protected with a crown. The remaining tooth may be too weak or sections may have broken off, such as cusps, to accommodate a large filling, If it already has had a filling, it may have experienced cracking and stress and the remaining tooth may not have the structure necessary to support another filling.
Root Canal: During a root canal, the tooth is hollowed out to extract the nerve. This weakens the tooth structure and makes it more susceptible to cracking.
Tooth Wear: Grinding your teeth shortens them over time. Teeth can also wear due to acid reflex or bulimia. Sometimes the enamel is worn down over time. In all of these instances, a crown helps protect the tooth and restores it to an appropriate strength and size for the individual’s bite.
Correction of tooth appearance: Crowns are sometimes used to correct the appearance of teeth due to color, shape, and spacing variations.
With recent improvement in dental care such as CEREC one-stop crown preparation, having a crown is a pain-free and efficient process.
Note: Information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified dental and medical health providers with questions you may have regarding your specific dental or medical conditions.