While your teeth are incredibly tough and durable, they’re not immune to wear. The hard outer layer of your tooth is called the “enamel.” This enamel is a mineral structure designed to prevent physical and biological wear. However, if you don’t clean your teeth regularly, bacteria can start to build and break down that enamel. This is how a cavity forms. If you don’t treat a cavity in time, the infection can spread deeper inside your teeth. Eventually, the damage will become so severe that a filling can’t protect your tooth. In these cases, a dental crown may be able to preserve your tooth instead.
Dental Crowns Are Essentially Tooth Replicas
If you’re unfamiliar with dental restorations, you may not know what dental crowns are. A dental crown is made to look and function just like a natural tooth. Some dental crowns are made out of metal amalgam, while others can be made with dental ceramics. Each crown is fabricated to look like the tooth it is preserving. It needs to fit perfectly over your existing tooth so that it aligns with the rest of your bite. Obviously, the size of the crown also needs to be proportional to your natural teeth so that you can chew comfortably.
Dental Crowns Preserve Teeth by Protecting the Root Structure
A dental crown isn’t quite a replacement tooth. You probably think of the crowns when you picture teeth. The crowns of your teeth are the portions that stick out above the gum line, but your teeth actually extend much deeper into your mouth. They connect, via their root structures, with your jawbone. This is what gives your teeth their strength and bite power. A dental crown is designed to utilize and protect that root structure, replicating the function and appearance of the crown on top.
When Would Your Tooth Require a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are actually quite useful as dental restorations, because they can be used to address a number of different problems. If your tooth has suffered severe infection, and the damage done cannot simply be restored by a dental filling, your dentist will likely opt for a dental crown. If infection has spread beneath the surface of your tooth and into the root structure, you may need root canal therapy. After this procedure, your dentist will protect your tooth with a crown. If you receive a dental implant, your dentist will ultimately top the titanium post in your jaw with a dental crown to restore the appearance and function of your tooth.
Do Your Teeth Need Attention from a Dentist?
Tooth decay is a problem that compounds over time. If you haven’t been making biannual visits to the dentist, you may have developed cavities, or even more severe infections. At Dreem Dentistry, we can give your teeth the attention they need. Whether it’s a simple filling, or a dental crown, we’re happy to provide quality care in a comfortable environment. Schedule an appointment at Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by contacting our office at 913-681-550.
