How Dental Crowns Help To Protect Your Tooth

Often referred to as "caps," dental crowns are a dental restoration that envelops an entire tooth, down to the gum. Unlike filling material, which is placed inside a tooth, a dental crown encases the tooth's structure in a durable, protective layer of porcelain or ceramic. Dentists often recommend dental crowns to shield the tooth from further damage and restore dental function.

How dental crowns work

Dental crowns provide great protection and reinforcement to natural teeth. Before recommending a crown, the dentist will perform a proper dental assessment to determine how best to restore the tooth. Often, the next step is to take impressions of the tooth to ensure proper fit. Depending on the circumstances, here are some reasons why a dentist might recommend a dental crown:

Repairing a damaged tooth or eroded enamel

Tooth decay, trauma, and clenching or grinding can break or erode tooth enamel. Damaged teeth tend to continue deteriorating unless a dental crown procedure is performed to safeguard them. An irregular tooth shape can also impact adjacent teeth and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Without a dental crown to protect the compromised tooth structure, the remaining tooth may experience premature, advanced enamel wear, affecting both oral function and appearance. The sooner the tooth is shielded, the less likely it is that additional structural damage will occur.

Reinforcing a tooth’s shape and structure

Some natural teeth may have irregular shapes, which can negatively impact appearance and function. When a dentist places dental crowns, they ensure the new crown aligns properly with all surrounding teeth, including those it bites against. Crowns allow for normal biting and chewing, so there is no need to worry about the restoration's functionality. The process will also likely make the patient more confident in their smile.

Safeguarding a weakened tooth

Structurally compromised teeth can gradually break down over time. A tooth may be weak due to an old, large filling or root canal treatment, resulting in a non-vital tooth. If there is extensive tooth decay that a filling cannot repair, the next logical solution is a permanent crown that covers the entire tooth. This protection prevents the underlying tooth enamel from deteriorating when chewing.

Porcelain, metal, or resin crowns can be used throughout the mouth, depending on the location of the affected tooth. The dentist will discuss each option's advantages based on the specific situation. Along with root canal treatments, dental crowns serve as one of the final lines of defense for severely damaged teeth.