Dental crowns are one of the most important tools that dentists have in their arsenal. Used for both restorative and cosmetic dentistry, dental crowns can fix many dental problems and concerns. Dr. Sal Lotardo of Bella Smiles, a dentist in Riverhead, Nesconset, and Roslyn, NY, discusses dental crowns and why they’re so crucial.
Dental crowns are designed as a kind of cap that goes over your tooth. A crown covers the tooth entirely, unlike porcelain veneers, which only cover the front and sides. Crowns are made of high-quality dental ceramic or porcelain and are customized to match the size, shape, and shade of the rest of your teeth. These materials can be polished to have the same sheen that natural teeth do.
Crowns can be used to strengthen your natural teeth in many ways. For instance, dental crowns are often used after a root canal is done. The infected dental pulp is removed from the tooth, leaving it hollow. Though this space is filled with a biocompatible material, it may not have the integrity it used to. A dental crown is used to give you the full functionality back in your tooth. You’ll be able to bite and chew with ease.
Crowns can also be used to strengthen teeth that are used as anchors for a dental bridge. One of the biggest issues with dental bridges is that the anchor teeth can suffer. They experience increased wear and tear due to supporting the bridge, and also have a higher chance of developing tooth decay. Using dental crowns on the anchor teeth can prevent these problems from happening.
Misshapen teeth can make you self-conscious about your smile. Depending on their location and what’s wrong with them, they can also make it hard for you to bite or chew. Dental crowns are always custom-made to match the patient’s natural smile. A crown can go over the misshapen tooth and blend in with the rest of the smile, both helping with aesthetics and giving you the ability to eat with no problems.
There are also certain kinds of tooth discoloration that can’t be fixed with traditional teeth whitening techniques. Most commonly, stains caused by medications are resistant to teeth whitening. Crowns can be used to cover those select teeth that aren’t able to be whitened fully by traditional techniques. These crowns can be made to match the shade of white that tooth whitening gave the rest of your smile. You won’t be able to tell the difference!
As we age, teeth are more likely to suffer wear and tear. They also may chip, crack, or break easier. Whether the chip is just a small cosmetic one or impacts how the tooth functions, a dental crown can cover it. You’ll get a smooth, even tooth, as well as one that works the way that it’s supposed to.
At each of our Bella Smiles locations, you’re able to get custom dental crowns to help you with your dental concerns. Call us or schedule an appointment at one of our locations today.
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