1. YOU’VE HAD ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
Root canal treatments are often used on infected teeth to eliminate the infection and save the tooth. Unfortunately, the process significantly weakens the tooth because the entire tooth’s pulp must be removed. This prevents the need for an extraction, but the tooth is at risk of breaking when exposed to the pressure of daily chewing. Therefore, a dental crown is typically placed after root canal treatment to re-strengthen the tooth and reduce the risk of treatment failure.
2. THE TOOTH HAS LARGE FILLINGS
If you have a lot of cavities or a few big cavities, your tooth is at risk of breaking, becoming infected, or completely decaying. But in some cases, a filling isn’t good enough. If you have many fillings or big fillings, the tooth is more vulnerable, and it may shatter where the tooth tissue and filling meet. These weak spots need to be protected, and a crown does exactly that. The crown completely covers the tooth to give it a solid exterior once more. This allows the pressure to be distributed evenly across the tooth.
3. THE TOOTH HAS CRACKED
Teeth can crack for many reasons, including: Trauma Decay Grinding Extreme pressure Like a big filling, this crack becomes a weakness in your tooth, and the more you eat or grind the tooth, the more likely it will shatter completely. If the tooth does shatter, your dentist may be able to rebuild the tooth, but depending on the extent of the damage, the tooth may need to be extracted. If the tooth is rebuilt, you will still need a crown to help prevent future breakage.
4. YOUR ENAMEL IS WORN
The enamel on your teeth helps protect against sensitivity and decay, but harsh brushing, not brushing/flossing, and a high-sugar/acidic diet can cause your enamel to wear down faster. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter the tooth, causing a cavity or infection. Depending on how much of the enamel is worn (and the location of the teeth), your dentist may recommend one or more dental crowns to act as the new enamel and protect the tooth. If only your front teeth are affected, veneers may be a better choice because they require less tooth tissue to be removed.
5. YOU HAVE COSMETIC CONCERNS
Dental crowns can also fix many cosmetic concerns, such as:
- Stubborn stains
- Recurring stains from cracks in the enamel
- Mild overcrowding
- Mild gaping
- Uneven teeth
- Chips
If you choose porcelain crowns, they can be colored to various shades of white, and the material looks almost exactly like natural tooth tissue. They are resistant to stains, and they can be used to fix one problematic tooth, or they can also be used to give your smile an entire makeover. Dental crowns may be a good choice for cosmetic concerns if you have many concerns, you want fast results, and/or your teeth are also weak. If you have weak teeth or you want a more attractive smile, dental crowns may be the right choice for you. If you would like more information about dental crowns or other cosmetic services, contact us today at (954)217-1411.
Author Dr. John M. Garcia D.D.S. Dr. Garcia graduated from Georgetown University Dental School in Washington, DC in 1988. While there, he earned honors from the Department of Fixed Prosthodontics. He then studied at the highly acclaimed Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Studies. While there, he learned more highly detailed techniques for the whole masticatory system. Dr. Garcia also trained in the Dawson Philosophy of Occlusion and the Concept of Complete Dentistry, both of which he now follows. Dr. Garcia has been in private practice as a dentist since 1990, and he strives to keep up with the latest advances in the dental field so he can offer the most effective and advanced care to his patients. Dr. Garcia specializes in helping patients improve their smile through skilled dental care and the latest technological advances in the world of dentistry.
