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All Posts in Category: Porcelain Crowns

crowns damaged teeth

Broken, Cracked, or Decayed Tooth? Restored with Crowns

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.

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Dental Crowns

Advantages of Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns have some uses in cosmetic dentistry. Dentists use them to encase a tooth or dental implant and bond them permanently with dental cement for a secure, strong fit. Dental crowns are a good option for treating broken or cracked teeth or those with large cavities that require root canals. Dentists also use dental crowns to correct minor cosmetic issues such as unevenly shaped teeth or discoloration. Past materials used to make crowns include silver, gold, platinum, and tin, but today porcelain is the top and most common choice due to its durability and resemblance to natural tooth appearance.

Porcelain crown advantages

Although metal crowns are still a viable option for treatments in dental offices, porcelain crowns have several advantages over metal alloy crowns. These advantages include:

  • Improved appearance – Porcelain crowns are tooth colored, smooth and blend in almost invisibly with natural teeth. Their more natural appearance is extremely helpful for patients who require dental work in the front of their mouth when any other type of crown would be easy to see.
  • Natural feeling – Along with being visually appealing, porcelain dental crowns also feel more natural than other options. The dentist can custom design porcelain crowns to fit the shape and appearance of a patient’s natural teeth. The durability and feel of porcelain crowns resemble that of natural teeth, which helps them blend perfectly with natural teeth in all aspects.
  • Durable and strong – Although many patients may not realize it, porcelain crowns are nearly as strong as natural tooth enamel, which is one of the hardest materials on the human body. Porcelain crowns withstand years of wear, and unlike porcelain veneers, crowns are sturdy enough to repair broken teeth or replace missing teeth as part of a dental implant or bridge.

Porcelain crowns have countless advantages over their metal alternatives in both feel, form, and function and are one of the best choices for repairing certain dental issues. Patients no longer need to feel embarrassed by their smile due to metal crowns, decay or missing teeth when a dental professional uses porcelain crowns as a dental treatment.

If you have minor cosmetic dental issues such as discoloration or misshapen teeth or more severe issues such as cracked or missing teeth, it’s time to consult a dentist about restoring your smile with porcelain crowns. The professionals at Dupont Dental are happy to work with you to find the best solution to your dental issues so you can share your smile confidentially again.

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