Dental Crowns: What Are They and When Do You Need Them?

In basic terms, a dental crown is a permanent covering for a tooth made from a number of different materials. These materials include porcelain, metal, resin, and ceramic; metal is durable, but is only recommended for back teeth. A combination of porcelain and metal is one of the most popular choices.

Crowns are made outside the dentist's office by a lab and can vary in cost. They also require two visits: an impression is made and a temporary crown is fitted at the first appointment, while the actual crown itself is fitted at the second.

When Are Crowns Needed?

Crowns are a dental care treatment used for a number of conditions. These include:

Large Filling

If a tooth has a large filling, it may be prone to fracture. The procedure is typically recommended if the filling covers half the length of the tooth. If the filling is old, a crown may be placed over the tooth if it’s showing signs of wear and tear.

Root Canal

Root canal treatments leave the tooth hollowed out and prone to cracking. As a result, it’s recommended that a crown be placed over a tooth immediately following a root canal procedure.

Cracked Tooth Syndrome

A patient suffering from cracked tooth syndrome will have cracks inside the tooth that cause pain when chewing a certain way. A crown holds the tooth together and eases stress on it in addition to eliminating pain. A dentist will often leave a temporary crown in place to determine if the pain goes away and whether a root canal is required.

Broken Cusp Syndrome

The tooth's cusp, the raised point of the tooth, takes the stress off teeth while chewing. However, the cusp may break due to a trauma or having a large filling; in such cases, a crown prevents further damage to the tooth. But if the tooth breaks all the way to the bone, it may require a crown lengthening procedure; this means that the tooth and gums need to be trimmed down to the edge of the fractured tooth so the crown can safely be placed over it.

Excessive Wear of Teeth

A patient's teeth may wear down over time due to any number of reasons, like grinding or acid reflux; this eventually leaves teeth smaller, softer, and more sensitive. Placing a crown over the tooth prevents further wear, along with other issues that may arise.

Unattractive Teeth

Often, teeth may have an unattractive appearance that the patient wishes to change.Dental crowns can improve the appearance and colour of teeth. However, the procedure may require that the teeth be shaved down to allow the crowns to be integrated.

Other Reasons for Crowns

Crowns are also placed over dental implants. Additionally, they may be used to fill in large spaces between teeth for aesthetic purposes.

Princeview Dental provides dental crowns at an affordable price. Regardless of whether you need a crown for cosmetic reasons or to treat any of the conditions mentioned above, we provide professionally designed dental crowns at our conveniently located office in Toronto. We also proudly offer a relaxed and hygienic environment for the procedure. Contact Princeview Dental for more information!