A dental crown serves an important purpose – the restoration can allow you to keep a tooth that has suffered a problem serious enough to affect its overall function. A number of issues can lead to a tooth being compromised; in some cases, abnormal development could leave you with a congenital problem that calls for a crown. Worried about how your smile will be affected by this restoration? Your dentist can use materials like porcelain and zirconia to ensure your looks are not compromised. It should be noted that in addition to supporting a problem tooth, a crown (with support from a dental implant) can also replace a lost one.
1. A Severe Cavity
Not all cavities need dental crowns. If your dentist catches and removes tooth decay before it has had time to do too much harm, they can restore your tooth with a dental filling. However, crowns are depended on when more significant damage has been dealt by a cavity.
2. Dental Damage That Has Functional Consequences
If a physical injury affects the function of a tooth, your dentist may need to use a dental crown to support it. Milder injuries that have no real impact on the tooth’s health can be addressed with cosmetic dental work.
3. Tooth Loss
If you need to have a single lost tooth replaced, a dental crown supported by a dental implant can serve as an effective prosthetic. The implant’s support can feel natural, and limit movement from neighboring teeth, and the crown’s durability means you should not have to worry about functional issues with biting and chewing.
