In an ideal world, your natural teeth would last as long as you live. But unfortunately for many of us, this is not the case. Dental crowns are a treatment used by dentists to preserve or strengthen a tooth that has been damaged. A dental crown surrounds the surface of a natural tooth and it may be necessary when the tooth is rotten or structurally damaged.
In days past, crowns were made entirely from metal alloys which were not the most esthetic. Today, dental crowns are usually made from a combination of ceramic and metal or all ceramic, making them appear more similar to your natural teeth. Today’s crowns are also extremely durable and it’s possible for them to last many years.
Dental crowns not only function like your natural teeth, but they can also be cared for the same way that you would care for your own teeth. Take care of your crowns with regular brushing and flossing, as well as maintaining regular dental hygiene appointments. While the crowns themselves will not decay, proper care is still important because there is a risk of decay at the spot where the crown and your tooth meet.
When a tooth is damaged, your dentist will do everything possible in order to save the tooth. A dental crown may be one such treatment that they recommend.
Dental crowns may be prescribed for a variety of reasons. For example, if you have a large cavity, a filling alone may not be enough to protect the tooth. The tooth could become weak. Rather than waiting for the tooth to break, and possibly needing an extraction, your dentist may recommend that the tooth be crowned. Or perhaps if you have a tooth that was damaged due to trauma, a dental crown may be the best option to save and reinforce it.
