7 Reasons You May Need A Crown

What is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cover that is placed over a broken, cracked, or otherwise damaged tooth to restore it to its original shape and appearance. It is one of the most common dental procedures and has evolved (thanks to modern technology) into a practically painless procedure that serves to protect the tooth for many years.

In the past, teeth that were damaged usually had to be removed. So, in essence, dental crowns allow patients to keep their own teeth, even damaged ones, often for the rest of their lives.

1. You've Had Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatments are often used on infected teeth to eliminate the infection and save the tooth. Unfortunately, the process significantly weakens the tooth because the entire tooth's pulp must be removed. This prevents the need for an extraction, but the tooth is at risk of breaking when exposed to the pressure of daily chewing. Therefore, a dental crown is typically placed after root canal treatment to re-strengthen the tooth and reduce the risk of treatment failure.

2. The Tooth Has Large Fillings

If you have a lot of cavities or a few big cavities, your tooth is at risk of breaking, becoming infected, or completely decaying. But in some cases, a filling isn't good enough. If you have many fillings or big fillings, the tooth is more vulnerable, and it may shatter where the tooth tissue and filling meet.

These weak spots need to be protected, and a crown does exactly that. The crown completely covers the tooth to give it a solid exterior once more. This allows the pressure to be distributed evenly across the tooth.

3. The Tooth Has Cracked

Teeth can crack for many reasons, including:

• Trauma
• Decay
• Grinding
• Extreme pressure

Like a big filling, this crack becomes a weakness in your tooth, and the more you eat or grind the tooth, the more likely it will shatter completely. If the tooth does shatter, your dentist in Hawthorn may be able to rebuild the tooth, but depending on the extent of the damage, the tooth may need to be extracted. If the tooth is rebuilt, you will still need a crown to help prevent future breakage.

4. You’re in Need of a Bridge

To fill a gap from a missing tooth, your dentist in Camberwell will use a dental bridge. This is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a bridge between the gap where a false tooth is held.

Dentists will often use crowns to anchor the bridge. In this case, the crown or crowns get placed on the tooth or teeth on either side of the gap. These are called “abutment” teeth.

The bridge that holds the false tooth gets attached to the crown. Because of their strength, crowns provide the perfect support for bridges.

If you’re getting a dental bridge, ask your doctor if they plan on using crowns as well.

5. Your Enamel Is Worn

The enamel on your teeth helps protect against sensitivity and decay, but harsh brushing, not brushing/flossing, and a high-sugar/acidic diet can cause your enamel to wear down faster. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter the tooth, causing a cavity or infection.

Depending on how much of the enamel is worn (and the location of the teeth), your dentist in Kew may recommend one or more dental crowns to act as the new enamel and protect the tooth. If only your front teeth are affected, veneers may be a better choice because they require less tooth tissue to be removed.

 

6. You Have Cosmetic Concerns

Dental crowns can also fix many cosmetic dentistry concerns, such as:

• Stubborn stains
• Recurring stains from cracks in the enamel
• Mild overcrowding
• Mild gaping
• Uneven teeth
• Chips

If you choose porcelain crowns, they can be colored to various shades of white, and the material looks almost exactly like natural tooth tissue. They are resistant to stains, and they can be used to fix one problematic tooth, or they can also be used to give your smile an entire makeover. Dental crowns may be a good choice for cosmetic concerns if you have many concerns, you want fast results, and/or your teeth are also weak.

If you have weak teeth or you want a more attractive smile, dental crowns may be the right choice for you. Thankfully, your insurance may cover some of the cost. Our dentist in Hawthorn will answer any questions you may have.

 

7. You’ve Suffered from Bruxism

Teeth grinding, or bruxism happens as a result of anxiety or occurs while asleep. A person with severe bruxism experiences pain, sore jaws, and even tooth damage.

If you’ve suffered from bruxism and have received treatment for it, a crown can fix any worn down teeth. By placing a crown over the damaged tooth, it’ll regain its original appearance.

Keep in mind that if you’re currently grinding your teeth, 

Do You Need a Crown for Your Tooth?

There’s no better way of determining if you need a crown than by consulting your dentist in Kew. However, use the signs discussed above as red flags that a tooth needs to be repaired. You can then decide if talking to your Tower Dental dentist in Balwyn should be the next step.

Our clinic is conveniently located close to Kew, Mont Albert, Surrey Hills, Hawthorn, Deepdene and Camberwell. Please feel free to contact our caring dentists on 03) 9817 7144 for any of your dental crown needs.