Reasons Why I Might Need a Dental Crown

We all know the importance of a beautiful, healthy smile. But what if you have cracked, broken, or decayed teeth? Or what if you feel that discolored or damaged teeth are spoiling your smile and affecting your confidence?

The good news is that it’s possible to restore both the health and appearance of your teeth with dental crowns right here at Chesterfield Dentistry. It’s a common treatment used in restorative dentistry that not only strengthens damaged teeth but at the same time greatly improves your appearance and keeps your smile looking its very best.

So when might a crown be necessary?

There are a number of reasons you may be advised to have dental crowns, so let’s take a look at three of the most common:

1. You’ve had a large cavity

   If you suffer with extensive decay, it’s more than likely that a filling won’t do the job. Instead a crown is needed to cover the whole tooth. This is because after we remove the decay, the remaining tooth will be weak and therefore prone to further damage. As a result a dental crown gives the tooth structure while also acting as protection for the tooth.

2. You cracked or fractured a tooth

   While not all cracked teeth need a crown, if the crack extends deep into the tooth or is painful, a dental crown might be recommended. This is because a crown will help to distribute stress more evenly, provide protection from further damage, and at the same time, help to eliminate any sensitivity from hot or cold foods or drinks which might otherwise come into contact with the damaged tooth.

3. You’ve had root canal therapy

   Once you’ve had the diseased nerve removed from your tooth, what’s left is effectively a shell. As a result the tooth can be susceptible to further damage. For this reason, a crown provides both strength and protection enabling patients to use their teeth in a normal way for many years to come.

As you can see, providing protection is a common theme running through the above reasons for needing a dental crown. So what exactly are crowns made of?

In essence, there are a variety of materials that can be used to make your dental crown, however some are more commonly used than others. Let’s take a closer look at a selection of the most popular:

• Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM)

  PFM restorations are used for their strength, value for money and relatively good aesthetics. The metal portion of these restorations ensures durability while the porcelain outer layer of the crown provides a very natural looking appearance. This is color-matched to your existing teeth for a seamless look. While PFM restorations can be fitted anywhere in the mouth, they’re usually fitted to back teeth as they have the ability to withstand normal bite pressures applied to them during the chewing process.

• Full Porcelain

  These crowns deliver the best natural appearance and as a result are commonly used for front teeth that are visible within the smile line. They’re also a great choice for patients with metal allergies. However they usually cost more than PFM crowns, so this is something patients need to bear in mind.

• Zirconia

  Zirconia crowns are without doubt the strongest crown available in dentistry but are also the most expensive. They can be used for front or back teeth and have an impressive natural appearance. Another advantage is that they can also be made much thinner than other crowns, meaning less tooth destruction overall.

So there you have it…everything you need to know about the most popular types of dental crowns.

If you’re in need of dental crowns, Chesterfield dentistry can help. Whether it’s to restore broken or decayed teeth or to improve the appearance of your smile, with our range of restorative dentistry treatments including PFM restorations, Chesterfield dentist Dr Melba Akinwande and her team will ensure the patient is left with a great looking smile every time. What are you waiting for? Book an appointment today on (314) 469 6429.