Why Would I Need a Dental Crown? 5 Different Uses for Crowns in Dallas, Texas

Get your dental crown in Dallas TX.

Dental Crown Solution

A dental crown is often one of the best treatment options to restore your smile. Many situations call for dental crowns to repair damage and ensure lasting oral health. If you find yourself with a chipped or broken tooth, your dentist will likely recommend dental crown placement as one of your treatment options.

1. Cracked, Chipped, or Broken Teeth

Physical damage to a tooth, whether due to injury or wear, is one of the most common reasons patients need dental crowns. Crowns are strong enough to restore the structural integrity of the tooth, and they keep damage caused by cracks and chips from spreading to other layers of the tooth.

If you have a cracked or chipped tooth, you may need a dental crown. However, minor damage may be purely cosmetic. In these cases, options such as dental veneers or composite bonding could work as well. If the strength and health of the tooth aren’t threatened, a crown may not be necessary.

2. After a Root Canal Treatment

If you’ve experienced a dental injury or serious tooth decay, you may need a root canal treatment. Removing the pulp and nerve tissue inside the affected tooth prevents infection. This is essential whenever bacteria are able to reach the interior of your tooth, as infection can lead to an abscessed tooth and the need for extraction.

Most root canal treatments will require a dental crown to ensure the strength and integrity of the tooth afterward. The inside of the tooth is filled with the same material used in routine dental fillings. However, the treatment requires creating a large hole in the chewing surface of the tooth. A dental crown is the best option to repair that hole.

3. A Large Cavity

Most cavities are easily handled with dental fillings. Today, fillings are even better than they used to be thanks to composite resin. Your dentist can carefully match the filling to the natural shade of your teeth instead of the conspicuous gray of traditional metal amalgam fillings.

However, some cavities are simply too large for fillings. A dental filling is meant to keep bacteria out of the cavity and stop the progression of tooth decay. They aren’t meant to restore the structure of the tooth. If your tooth has been seriously weakened by a large cavity, a dental crown may be needed to ensure its strength.

4. After Dental Implant Placement

Dental implants are widely used in many types of dental restorations today. This includes replacing individual missing teeth. A dental crown requires healthy tooth roots for support, so they can’t be used when a tooth is missing entirely. By contrast, dental implants work in these situations because they’re embedded in the jawbone for support.

After your titanium dental implant is placed and fully healed, you’ll need a dental crown to complete the restoration. Dental crowns for implants are practically the same as regular dental crowns; they are still custom-made to match your smile. The difference is that they are designed to fit over the dental implant rather than a prepared natural tooth.

5. To Support a Dental Bridge

Another solution for missing teeth is a dental bridge. If you’re missing one tooth that’s surrounded by two healthy natural teeth, a dental bridge can span the gap. The bridge consists of two crowns and a center replacement tooth, which come together in one piece to form a single bridge.

To place the bridge, your dentist prepares the two supporting teeth just like they would for individual crowns. They attach the bridge to the two supporting teeth with dental cement, just like a regular dental crown. It spans the gap so that other teeth don’t shift positions over time, which protects your long-term oral health.

Finding the Right Dental Crown for You

Not all dental crowns are the same. In fact, many different crown materials are used today. You can speak with your dentist to determine which is right for you based on your unique case.

Zirconia crowns are widely used in contemporary dentistry, offering both strength and a natural-looking appearance. However, e.max ceramic crowns are another tooth crown option. They provide strength and durability but also have a unique translucency that makes them a perfect visual match for natural enamel and an excellent material for front tooth crowns.

CEREC same-day crowns let you have your treatment without waiting. Digital impressions are taken with 3D imaging technology, and your custom crown is created right at the dentist’s office. This cuts weeks off of treatment time, as there’s no waiting for the final crown from an off-site dental lab.

A Strong, Beautiful Smile from the Best Cosmetic Dentist in Dallas, TX

Are you dealing with a damaged or decayed tooth or in need of an upcoming restoration? You can find the best option for your dental crown at Dallas Cosmetic Dental. Zirconia, ceramic, and CEREC same-day crowns are all available to restore your smile. Schedule an appointment today to get started.