5 Dental Concerns that Crowns Resolve

Dental health is important for everyone, yet millions of people are dealing with problems with their teeth. Many adults find themselves dealing with a variety of dental conditions, including untreated tooth decay (dental caries, 26%), periodontitis (gum disease, 46%), tooth loss, and oral cancer. Dental crowns are one way to deal with the problems many of these conditions can bring, which can help you keep your smile and protect your teeth. Let’s examine what dental crowns are, the many ways they can help your teeth, and how long they last.

Patients in the Tempe, Arizona area looking for a crown to help with their dental problems can find comprehensive care from Dr. Leon Brannon Reed and the skilled staff at 1st American Dental. We offer a wide range of services for your dental needs, using cutting edge technology for medical and cosmetic dentistry.

What is a dental crown?

Crowns are tooth-shaped caps cemented into place over existing teeth that can be made out of different materials. The type of crown you may get varies depending on where it’s being placed, and what kind of durability it provides. Temporary crowns can be used as a short-term solution until a permanent treatment is available, and some can be made and placed in one day. Crowns can be made with ceramic, porcelain, zirconia, composite resin, metal, or a combination of materials.

How can dental crowns help?

Here are five ways crowns can be a great help for your teeth.

1. Protecting weak teeth

This includes teeth that are weak from the effects of tooth decay, covering teeth that have had a root canal, or a large cavity that may be too big for a filling to help.

2. Covering a dental implant

A full dental crown is the last step in the process of getting a dental implant, a procedure where a metal post is inserted in your jaw. After a piece known as an abutment is added to the post, the crown is set to allow your implant to work like your natural teeth.

3. Replacing or repairing damaged teeth 

If you suffer an injury that damages your teeth, or tooth decay causes them to start cracking or breaking, crowns can help restore and protect them when they are compromised.

4. Reshaping a poorly shaped tooth

Severely worn down, misshapen or otherwise deformed teeth can benefit from a crown both covering them and protecting them from further harm.

5. Teeth alignment (helping to keep a bridge in place)

A crown can help provide support for a dental bridge (a device to bridge gaps between missing teeth) and help keep the teeth on either side from being compromised.

You will get an X-ray to both determine the extent of the damage to a tooth and the best way to proceed before placing a crown. A root canal may be necessary for extensive tooth decay, damage to the tooth pulp, or if the risk of further infection is present. 

How long do they last?

Once a permanent crown is put into place, it can last for up to 15 years, depending on what material it’s made of (zirconia, metal, and porcelain fused to metal crowns are among the longer-lasting) and how well they’re cared for. When caring for dental crowns for long-term care, brush regularly but carefully (using toothpaste for sensitive teeth), floss daily, and avoid hard foods. If you clench or grit your teeth frequently while sleeping, consider using a night guard for protection.

If you’re dealing with damaged or otherwise compromised teeth, there’s no reason to delay getting a crown to help care for them. Contact Dr. Reed and 1st American Dental today to get healthier teeth and a better smile.