Did you know that dental crowns are the most common restorative dental treatment in the United States? That’s because a high-quality crown is as strong as your natural tooth and looks fabulous when you smile. Here’s what you should know about dental crowns and why one might be the perfect solution for your damaged, decayed, or otherwise compromised tooth.
What Exactly Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a cap that we place over your existing tooth, designed to excel in both form and function. The crown is made from high-quality materials that fit in seamlessly with your surrounding teeth, allowing you to speak, chew, and smile with ease. Dental crowns are one of the most versatile tools dentists have in their entire arsenal because they allow them to:
- Strengthen a cracked or broken tooth
- Restore a tooth with extensive decay
- Protect a tooth after a root canal
- Preserve your natural tooth
- Hide a stained or discolored tooth
- Cover gaps between teeth
- Complete dental implant restorations
- Support bridges and other prosthetics
Crowns can even improve the appearance of teeth that are mildly crooked but not so misaligned that they cause bite problems! However, their oral health benefits are where they truly shine, as they allow a patient to keep their natural tooth intact.
What Is It Like to Get a Dental Crown?
As with any dental procedure, your results depend on your dentist’s skill, the technology they use, and their dedication to using the best materials. Getting a crown is so much more than taking an impression and putting any type of cap over your tooth. The process requires extreme precision and ample experience to ensure your crown fits properly and functions like a regular tooth.
However, the basics include impressions being taken and used to create the crown, the tooth’s unhealthy tissue being removed (if necessary), and the crown being placed firmly on top of the tooth’s chewing surface. While the durability of your crown is paramount, dentists also pay meticulous attention to details such as choosing materials with the same sheen as your natural teeth, customizing the crown’s color to match the surrounding teeth, and making sure the crown is sculpted to an ideal shape.
Your teeth are designed to last a lifetime, but life often gets in the way, which is why tools like dental crowns are so invaluable. From preserving damaged teeth to improving your smile, dental crowns are true workhorses that serve both functional and cosmetic roles extremely well.
About Our Practice
Our team here at Mockler Dental serves the dental needs of patients in Campbell and the surrounding area under the leadership of Dr. Tricia Mockler. We’re excited to offer a wide variety of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatment solutions, including dental crowns! If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to set up an appointment, you can reach out online or call today for additional information. Telephone: (408) 871-0877.