When a tooth is cracked or fractured, you might assume that you’ll need a dental crown to fix it. However, when your tooth is cosmetically blemished or lost completely, a dental crown might not be the first solution you think of. The truth is that today’s dental crowns can serve a multitude of functions, depending on every patient’s specific needs and preferences. Besides the different ways that a dental crown can improve your oral health, it can also significantly improve your smile’s appearance and your overall confidence.
Restorative Dental Crowns
The most common use for a dental crown is to restore and protect a tooth that has suffered structural damage, such as a crack, fracture, or break. A dental crown, which is a replica of the tooth, can be placed over the tooth, completely covering it. By shielding the tooth, a dental crown can absorb pressure from your bite in its place and prevent the tooth from suffering more extensive damage when you bite and chew.
Cosmetic Dental Crowns
In the past, dental crowns were most often made from durable metals, allowing them to adequately withstand bite pressure. Today, however, dental crowns are often crafted from safer and more lifelike materials, such as dental porcelain and zirconia. Because it closely mimics the color and shine of your natural tooth, a dental crown may be recommended to improve its cosmetic appearance, even if the tooth isn’t damaged.
Prosthetic Dental Crowns
If a tooth is lost, or damaged so badly that it needs to be extracted, a dental crown can also serve as a viable, lifelike replacement. Your dentist can place a dental implant (a small, prosthetic tooth root) into your jawbone. Once your jaw heals around the implant post, your dentist can secure a custom-designed dental crown on top of it. Together, the implant and crown create a highly realistic replacement for your tooth, complete with a “root” to support it.
Find Out if You Need a Dental Crown
You might be surprised to learn that a dental crown may be the best option for your smile for a wide variety of reasons. To find out if your smile needs a crown, schedule a consultation by calling Dr. Steven Huffstutler in Ft. Worth, TX, today at 817-918-3038.