Did you know that a dental crown is the most common dental restorative procedure in America? An estimated 2.3 million people have a dental crown in order to improve the look and function of their smiles. At All Pro Dental, we’re all about helping those in Revere and surrounding areas achieve a healthy and beautiful smile through conservative dentistry services. Dental crowns serve a variety of purposes, and below are just a few reasons our dentist in Revere may recommend this dental procedure.
When To Opt For A Dental Crown
- Root Canal. A root canal procedure leaves the tooth hallow on the inside as the pulp is removed due to infection. As a result, a protective barrier needs to be placed on top of the existing tooth to protect it from further damage and decay. In this case, a root canal is the perfect solution, especially for patients whose gum-lines are also receding and exposing more of the tooth.
- Cracked Tooth. A cracked tooth cannot be fixed with dental sealant or any other type of dental cement due to this method not being structurally sound enough. Your teeth are constantly undergoing pressure from chewing and stress (for those with TMD/TMJ), and dental sealants won’t get the job done. In this case, a dental crown is necessary for both a vertical or lateral crack.
- Worn Down Teeth. Excessive wear on teeth is common, especially in adults due to years of biting, chewing and potentially clenching. Cracked tooth syndrome will also require a dental crown. This condition occurs when there is a fracture inside the tooth and causes sharp pain when chewing or biting. Dental crowns will help shield the tooth from the constant pressure of chewing so that your tooth can heal.
- Broken Cusps. Cusps are the tops of teeth that come into contact with food and as a result suffer the most extensive damage. Individuals playing sports or who have accidents and falls will often break their cusps. When this occurs, our Revere dental office will assess whether or not you will need dental bonding or a dental crown. If the trauma is severe enough, then a dental crown is usually recommended.
- Large Filling. As a rule of thumb, if patients have a cavity that is larger than half the width of the tooth, then a dental crown is needed. At this point, the majority of the tooth is structurally unsound and rotting and only a dental crown will be able to make the tooth structurally sound again. The goal is to make sure every tooth is functioning as it should, so whenever there is a large filling needed, our dentist will cap things off with a crown to prevent future fractures or cracks.
- Aesthetics. For some of our patients, their teeth may not be a desirable shape or color. Although we do not provide our patients with cosmetic dental services, there are ways to improve the shape and color of a tooth using dental crowns. Crowns can be molded to fill gaps and as long as quality materials are used it will look like a natural tooth.
Keep in mind that dental crowns aren’t for everyone, and it’s okay if your dentist tells you that you do not need one. If you’re unsure whether or not you qualify for a dental crown, contact our dental office in Revere to schedule a free consultation.
