5 Applications of Dental Crowns
If your dentist has told you that you need to have a dental crown fitted, then it is likely that they are trying to protect your tooth which has been damaged due to one of the following conditions. Take a look at the following common uses of dental crowns.
1. Repairing a Deep Cavity
Most dental cavities are shallow enough that a dentist can repair them simply by filling the hole in the tooth with a dental composite. However, if the decay goes deep enough, then the dentist must excise a significant amount of material from the tooth and cap it with a dental crown to protect it from further decay.
2. Completing a Root Canal Treatment
During a root canal treatment, a dentist removes infected tissue from the internal root part of a tooth. This procedure is necessary to treat severe toothache that occurs as a result of deep decay. At the end of the treatment, the dentist places a crown onto the treated tooth to seal it and prevent any more bacteria from getting inside. This treatment can save a tooth that would otherwise need to be removed.
3. Repairing a Chipped or Cracked Tooth
Many people are fitted with dental crowns following an accident or injury that has chipped one of their teeth. Alternatively, you might have bitten down too hard on a piece of food and cracked a tooth. A dental crown not only protects the damaged tooth, which would otherwise be vulnerable to infection, but also restores its appearance and reduces sensitivity, so you can smile, laugh and eat as normal.
4. Covering a Badly Stained Tooth
If your teeth are badly stained and a professional teeth whitening treatment is not suitable for you, perhaps because your enamel is too thin, then dental crowns are another option. They can cover up teeth that are discoloured, creating the appearance of a perfectly white smile. Dental crowns resist staining, so you can enjoy whiteness that lasts.
5. Correcting Minor Misalignment
Braces are one way to get a perfectly straight smile. However, if the misalignment in your teeth is only slight, then it might not be necessary to go through all the hassle of having braces. Dentists can use crowns to cover up imperfections such as a small gap between the front teeth or to make a slightly twisted tooth appear straight. Ask your dentist about this quick and easy alternative to orthodontic treatment.
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