26 Jul Cracked tooth: Will a dental crown help?
Dental crowns are versatile restorations that offer a number of benefits to patients with diseased and damaged teeth. One common use for crowns is to protect cracked teeth. In fact, these restorations are the best way to protect a cracked tooth from developing further degradation or disease.
What is a dental crown exactly?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped restoration with a hollowed interior. It is placed over a damaged or diseased tooth and cemented in place. Dental crowns cover the entire tooth’s surfaces above the gums. This means that a dental crown will protect all sides of your tooth along with its biting surfaces.
What do crowns look like?
Crowns are shaped like teeth. If you select white restoration materials like porcelain or porcelain fused to metal, your crown will appear very lifelike. White crowns can be indistinguishable from biological teeth.
When is a dental crown recommended?
A dental crown may be recommended by a dentist for a number of reasons. The most common uses for dental crowns are to protect and restore damaged teeth. Teeth with extensive decay, chips, and cracks can benefit from crowns. A dental crown prevents future damage and makes it possible to avoid a tooth extraction.
Sometimes dental crowns are recommended for cosmetic purposes. A tooth-colored crown can make a world of difference in the aesthetic of your smile. Since a crown covers all of a tooth’s surfaces, it can be used to conceal deep stains, chips, and damage.
Why should I have my cracked tooth repaired?
A cracked tooth can become infected quite easily. Deep cracks penetrate through the enamel surface of teeth and the dentin. A tooth’s structure under enamel is quite porous and weak.
Cavity-causing bacteria can eat through the dentin and ultimately make their way to the root canal. The root canal contains nerve endings and cellular material. When bacteria breach this portion of a tooth, a patient can develop painful infections that could lead to abscesses and the need for extractions.
If you have questions about dental restorations, call Aesthetic Dental Partners to schedule a consultation with our dentist.