Having a damaged tooth can be worrying. It can sometimes cause you pain, and you might be concerned about how it looks too. Several things could have caused your tooth to be damaged. You might have experienced some trauma, in a fall or car accident, for example, and broken or cracked it. Sometimes biting down on something hard will break your tooth. It could also be damaged due to decay. All of these issues can cause you concern, but they can all be repaired with a crown. A crown will help to prevent further damage and restore the look and feel of the tooth.
What Is a Crown?
A crown is used to repair and preserve a damaged tooth. The crown fits over the tooth to strengthen it and make it look natural. It is usually made of porcelain, ceramic, glass or even gold-alloy. Crowns are designed to fit your tooth as closely as they can. If you have a crown fitted, it should blend in with your natural tooth. They are an excellent solution to repair the cosmetic look of your tooth. Crowns can last for years, as they are durable and should stand up to much daily wear and tear. However, they do need to be cared for like any other tooth.
Fitting a Crown
When your dentist fits a crown to one of your teeth, they first need to prepare the tooth. They remove the surface of your tooth so that the core is revealed. How much is removed depends on the thickness of the crown. You will then have an impression taken of your tooth so that the dental technician can make your crown. Molds of your opposite jaw can also be useful to ensure that the crown will match up to your teeth. The dental technician also needs to know the color of your natural tooth so that they can match the crown to it. In some cases, it might be necessary to put a post in the tooth before a crown can be fitted.
Protection and Preservation
One of the primary purposes of a crown is to protect a damaged tooth. When a tooth is cracked, broken or decayed, it is at risk of being damaged further. A crown helps to protect what is left of the natural tooth, along with restoring its appearance. The crown can hold together a tooth that has cracked to prevent it from breaking. It can also act as a protective layer over a weak tooth that could easily sustain damage. The tooth may not already be broken, but it could be weak from decay and require protection.
Restoration
Crowns help to restore teeth that have already broken. As well as being used on their own, they can also serve to hold a dental bridge in place. A bridge is used to fill the gap when you have one or missing teeth. Crowns can also cover dental implants and misshapen teeth, and be used for cosmetic purposes.
There’s no need to worry if one of your teeth is damaged. A crown could be the perfect solution to repair it.