Facts You Should Know about Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are used to repair teeth when dental fillings are not enough and as attachments for traditional dental bridges. In many situations, a crown can help preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible, avoiding more complicated solutions and preserving good oral health.

A tooth that develops multiple cavities or one very large cavity may not have enough material left to withstand bite force if repaired with dental fillings. The solution is often to remove enough of the remaining material to form a conical base over which a dental crown can be permanently bonded. The procedure may also be appropriate for teeth that are severely chipped, cracked, worn down, misshapen, or discolored.

To prepare for your crown, your cosmetic dentist will make a mold of the affected area. Using the impression of the damaged tooth and the tooth it will oppose, a crown can be crafted that is nearly identical to the original healthy tooth. Once it has been bonded in place, it will fit like the original tooth. Many patients can’t tell a crown from a real tooth without looking in a mirror.

Dental crowns are important because repairing the tooth above the gum preserves the tooth root, which is important in maintaining proper positioning of adjacent teeth.

When teeth are lost or must be removed, dental implants are the best solution to replace them. Your oral surgeon will drill a hole in the bone and implant a metal base to which a dental crown is attached.

Dental bridges are a less invasive and less expensive alternative to dental implants for replacing missing teeth. A traditional fixed bridge is a single unit that includes a false tooth with a crown on each side. The crowns are bonded to an abutment tooth on each side of the gap to be filled.

If you have a tooth that is beyond repair with simple dental fillings, contact Bloomington, Illinois cosmetic dentist to help you decide if a dental crown is right for you.