Several situations may require a tooth to be restored using a dental crown. The following are typical cases wherein a dental crown is necessary:
Large filling
A tooth suffering from an extensive cavity or fracture that involves half the width of the tooth or more will need to be covered with a crown. This is because the remaining tooth around the large filling is so weak, that it has become susceptible to fracture. Also, there are instances wherein a large filling that has been in the mouth for long will need to be replaced with a dental crown because the tooth has started to show signs of stress and cracks around the filling.
Root canal
After a root canal treatment, it leaves the tooth hollowed out, making it vulnerable cracks. That is why a tooth that has undergone a root canal treatment will usually need to be restored with a crown as soon as possible. This is done to protect the tooth and prevent it from fracturing.
Excessive wear of the teeth
Frequent grinding of the teeth should be avoided as it can cause the teeth to become shorter over time. Also, acid erosion caused by gastrointestinal acid reflux, bulimia, or an acidic diet can cause the teeth to wear away. Sometimes, the tooth enamel will wear away completely, leaving small, soft teeth. If left unrestored, later on, the bite can collapse, and the only way of restoring it is by covering the teeth with crowns.
Cracked tooth syndrome
A cracked tooth syndrome is a condition wherein a patient has fractures inside a tooth that causes pain when chewed in a certain way. Know that chewing can produce stress on the fracture lines, making it feel like it is splitting apart. Placing a dental crown is essential in holding the tooth together and can equally redistribute the stress throughout the tooth, which helps eliminate the pain.
Dental implants or dental bridge
Dental crowns are placed on dental implants to restore the gaps left by missing teeth. Also, one way of filling these spaces is with dental bridges. These dental bridges are made from crowns on the teeth next to the spaces attached to the pontics (false teeth) in between. Furthermore, when teeth are loose, dental crowns can be placed on multiple teeth and splinted together to provide more stability.
Aiming to restore your teeth as natural as they were before? Contact us to know more about Dental Crowns in Richmond, VA, or to schedule your appointment with Short Pump Family Dentistry. We are located at 201 Towne Center West Blvd. #709, Richmond, VA 23233.
