Dental crowns are one of the most important tools in a dentist’s toolbox. They can be used to treat a variety of both cosmetic and restorative problems. Dr. Angela Wingate of Garner Family and Cosmetic Dentistry discusses the dental concerns you can fix by getting dental crowns in Garner, NC.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are made of high-quality dental ceramic. They’re used in both cosmetic and restorative dentistry for a variety of different procedures. Crowns basically act as a cap over your tooth, covering it on all sides. This can be used to help strengthen or stabilize it, or just make the tooth appear more attractive in your smile.
Cosmetic Uses for Dental Crowns
Since crowns cover the entire tooth, they’re an ideal choice if you have cosmetic issues with some of your teeth. If you have discolored teeth, crowns can be made to match any shade of white you’d like. Some discoloration doesn’t respond to traditional teeth whitening techniques, such as teeth stained due to medication. Crowns can make them match the rest of your smile, or make them even whiter if you’d like.
As we age, our teeth experience wear and tear. They may be slightly chipped or uneven on the bottom due to regular wear on your teeth. You may also have an oddly misshapen tooth that you feel insecure about. Dental crowns can fix all of these problems. They can go over the selected teeth and be designed so that the size and shape of the crown blends seamlessly with the rest of your smile.
Restorative Uses for Dental Crowns
One of the most common uses for dental crowns is to stabilize a tooth after a root canal. During a root canal, infected dental pulp is removed from the inside of the tooth, making it hollow. It’s filled with a bio-compatible material to give it more stability, but this doesn’t put the tooth at 100%. Covering this tooth with a dental crown both seals off the tooth from the chance of further infection and gives you full function back in the tooth.
Dental crowns can also be used as the final restoration for dental implants. Dental implants combined with dental crowns are the most natural form of tooth replacement. The implants give the stability of natural teeth because they replace the tooth root. The crown can be made to match the size, shape, and shade of the rest of your teeth. Therefore, you have the full function of your tooth back, as well as a natural restoration.
Lastly, dental crowns can also be used to strengthen natural teeth to support a dental bridge. When a bridge is supported by natural teeth, it increases the wear and tear on them. This leaves the teeth more susceptible to things like tooth decay. When these support teeth are covered with dental crowns, it doesn’t cause harm to the natural teeth. The crown takes the brunt of any wear and tear the teeth would experience.
Getting Dental Crowns in Garner, North Carolina
Do you think dental crowns could be the solution to your dental concerns? Call us or schedule an appointment online!