Ever really ask yourself why a dentist would crown a tooth instead of just filling it? We’ve come a long way with restorative dentistry, so now a dental practice can restore teeth and enhance the strength of your smile all in one. Here in Oklahoma City, it’s important to get to know more about the occasions when and why crowns are needed for better oral health decisions.
Dental crowns in OKC are custom-made fixtures placed over weakened or broken teeth to restore their functions and beautify the mouth. A crown may be useful to limit any future damage from tooth decay or cracking, or it may even be tapped on when the filling becomes excessively large.
What then is a crown, and when should a person get one? Let’s unravel this mystery!
What Are Dental Crowns?
A cap restoration is performed upon tooth restructuring in general. Not only does it restore the shape and size, but it also reinforces the strength and appearance of a tooth, examining the underlying structure of the tooth. Crowns can be formed from diverse materials, from porcelain to ceramic to metals, based on patient requirements and the dentist’s discretion.
Unlike conventional filling materials, which merely fill an empty cavity, a crown will cover the whole tooth and is therefore useful in cases where extreme reparative processes have occurred on the tooth or in cases where the tooth has been root canal treated.
When Are Dental Crowns Needed?
There are several instances where crowns are to be advised:
- Major tooth decay: When a cavity is so big that filling will not hold, a crown can hold it together and prevent breaking of the tooth.
- Cracked or broken teeth: Teeth that have been cracked or weakened can be kept together by crowning them.
- Post-root canal treatment: Teeth after root canal treatment are decreased in vitality and acquire value when given a crown.
- Cosmetic reasons: Dental crowns may improve the appearance of discolored, misshapen, or worn-down teeth.
It is essential to remember that not all tooth issues require crowns. The condition of your mouth will be evaluated thoroughly by a dentist prior to suggesting this.
How the Procedure Works
The dentist prepares the tooth, which is then provided with a cap or crown that can serve as a replica of the tooth in shape, size, strength, and beauty. Depending on the specifications, a crown can either be made of porcelain, ceramic, or metal. Dental crowns are entirely unique, as they cover an entire tooth area, unlike conventional fillings that are porous and merely fill a cavity. This is for those teeth that have undergone major reparative processes or have gone through some damage during the root canal therapy process.
Caring for Your Crowns
The crowns can last a long time, provided the individual maintains stringent oral hygiene practices: brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and scheduling periodic dental check-ups. Such measures do a great deal in reducing the chances of the crowns getting lost or dislodged. Don’t chew on really hard food to minimize breaking your crown.
Crowns are, in other words, designed to aid tooth restoration by first strengthening and protecting the tooth, then reshaping it to resemble a natural tooth. Crowns are indeed one of the top-rated restorations in dentistry, along with root canals, in terms of keeping teeth healthy.
When there is an imminent threat to your tooth, it is wise to consult your dentist about dental crowns in OKC to save both your tooth and your smile. Know what it is before it gets serious. Be acquainted with various options available in restorative dentistry to create a more solid, confident smile!
