There’s nothing like a broken or noticeably-decayed tooth to turn an otherwise perfect smile into a source of awkwardness or embarrassment. Whether it’s the result of an accident or eventual decay, a chipped or damaged tooth can not only mar your appearance, but cause actual health problems down the road. Fortunately, a solution to this problem does exist in the form of dental crowns. Dental crowns are tooth coverings that work to essentially take the place of the tooth’s outer surface. Widely regarded by dentists as one of the most solid solutions for dental problems caused by injury, disease, or general wear and tear, crowns are typically made of porcelain or porcelain pasted on gold.
The process of fitting a crown usually entails two separate office visits. During the first appointment, your dentist will clean the affected tooth in order to remove decay. He will then reshape the tooth, which might include filing it down or building it up, depending on the circumstances. An impression will be made in order to create your permanent crown, and you’ll be fitted with a temporary crown to tide you over until your next appointment. During your follow-up appointment, your dentist will remove your temporary crown and replace it with the permanent one after checking it to ensure that it fits properly.
The problem with dental crowns is that they can be costly, especially for people who don’t have dental insurance. So before you start shelling out all of that money, it is important to evaluate the benefits of getting a crown. Dr. Jack Elder is a Benicia, California cosmetic dentist with three decades of experience under his belt, and he shares the following benefits associated with dental crowns:
Crowns provide support for damaged teeth
From a functional standpoint, dental crowns are highly effective in strengthening and supporting misshapen or badly broken teeth. Dental crowns can truly work to preserve the functionality of the teeth so that you don’t encounter any problems with your bite or chewing down the road.
Crowns prevent infection
Extreme tooth decay can not only pose a problem for the effected tooth, but for the rest of your mouth if not properly treated. Dental crowns that are placed over highly-decayed teeth can work to prevent infection that might otherwise result from bacteria seeping into cracked or damaged teeth.
Crowns are a long-term solution
Dental crowns are considered by dentists to be one of the most effective treatments for patients on a long-term basis. Most dental crowns are able to last for2o to 30 years, which means that once yours is put in place, you won’t have to worry about it for a fairly long time.
Crowns look completely natural
Thanks to the materials involved in their fabrication, dental crowns offer a natural look that mimics that of regular, healthy teeth. In other words, nobody is going to be able to tell the difference between your crowns and your original teeth.
Crowns result in more confident smiles
Although crowns are often recommended simply for their ability to effectively strengthen damaged teeth and prevent further decay, there is certainly a cosmetic value to dental crowns as well. By covering up broken or chipped teeth, dental crowns can restore not only your smile, but your self confidence as well.
There are plenty of good reasons to get a dental crown. But in some situations, a crown might not be the most effective or appropriate solution to your dental woes. The best way to find out if a crown is right for you is to talk to a trusted dentist and get his educated opinion on the matter. Of course, if your dentist does recommend a crown, then you’ll still have a decision to make. Just remember that while you might pay a bit up front, the numerous benefits inherent in dental crowns are ones that you’ll get to reap for many years to come.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
