Your smile is your best asset, so it makes sense to be proactive by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. Unfortunately, it can be hard to break poor oral habits, leading to weak teeth or cosmetic concerns. Fortunately, dental crowns provide an effective way of protecting and improving the appearance of your smile. So, if you’ve been wondering, “do I need a dental crown?” then read on to learn more about dental crowns and when you may need one.
What are dental crowns?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap covering a damaged or unsightly tooth to restore its shape and size. When the crown is cemented firmly into place, it encases the tooth’s visible part above the gum line.
Reasons you may need a dental crown
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Your tooth has extensive decay
If a tooth has extensive decay, a filling may not be a feasible option since the tooth could shatter where the tissue and filling material come together.
Weak spots like these need to be protected, and that’s just what dental crowns do.
The crown covers the tooth, restoring structure and strength and enabling the pressure to be evenly distributed when a person bites.
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You have undergone root canal treatment
A dentist carries out root canal treatment as a last-ditch attempt to save an infected tooth from extraction. The dentist removes the infected tissue from the pulp at the centre of the tooth, flushes out the canals, and seals them to prevent infection from recurring. While this prevents tooth extraction, it weakens the tooth putting it at risk of breakage from regular chewing. Therefore, a dental crown is placed several weeks after root canal treatment strengthening the tooth and reducing the risk of treatment failure.
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A cracked tooth
Another reason for a positive response to the question “Do I need a dental crown” is if you have cracked a tooth. Teeth break for many reasons, including trauma, decay, extreme pressure and teeth grinding. This, in turn, weakens the tooth and the more you eat or grind your teeth, the higher the risk of the tooth shattering. Your dentist may be able to rebuild your tooth, but a dental crown will still be needed to protect it from future breakage.
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Worn enamel
The enamel helps protect teeth against sensitivity and decay but brushing the teeth too hard, not brushing or flossing, or adopting a diet high in sugar and acid can lead to enamel erosion. When this happens, bacteria can enter the tooth, causing an infection or cavity.
Depending on the extent of enamel erosion and the tooth’s location, a dentist may recommend one or more dental crowns to protect the affected teeth. Dental veneers may be a better option if your front teeth are affected since they require less invasive treatment.
Do I need a dental crown for cosmetic reasons?
While you may not necessarily need a dental crown for cosmetic reasons, they can fix a variety of issues, including:
- Heavily stained teeth
- Mild gapping
- Chipped teeth
- Recurring stains caused by cracks in the tooth enamel
- Uneven teeth
- Mild overcrowding
If you opt for porcelain dental crowns, they can be shade-matched to the colour of your surrounding teeth for a seamless finish. Crowns are a versatile dental treatment that can correct a single problem tooth or cover several teeth for a complete smile makeover. Since they can be matched to your natural teeth, they blend seamlessly into the smile.
So, now you have the answer to the question, “do I need a dental crown?” let’s look more closely at the dental crown procedure.
What’s involved in the dental crown procedure?
Traditionally, dental crowns require at least two dental visits, spaced several weeks apart.
1st dental visit
During the first appointment, the tooth will be examined and prepared. The dentist will carry out x-rays of the tooth and the surrounding bone to ascertain the extent of any damage or decay.
In some cases, root canal treatment may be needed before going ahead with a dental crown.
The next step is to grind down the sides and top of the tooth to make room for the dental crown. If the decay is extensive and most of the tooth is removed, a filling material will help augment the remaining structure.
Once the dentist has finished shaping the tooth, the next part of the dental crown procedure is to take an impression of the tooth from which the dental lab can create your custom dental crown. A temporary crown is fitted to protect the prepared tooth while you wait for your permanent crown.
2nd dental visit
The dentist will remove your temporary crown at this second and final visit and replace it with a permanent one. The dentist checks the crown for fit and colour before they cement it securely into place.
Same-day dental crowns
If you really can’t wait for several weeks to get a new dental crown, you may be interested in an alternative dental crown procedure that takes just one dental visit.
The process for same-day dental crowns is the same as for traditional crowns until the point where an impression is taken. Same-day crowns do away with the need for messy alginate impressions, and instead, a 3D scanning wand is placed inside the patient’s mouth. This maps out the contours of the teeth and gums and sends this information directly to a CAD/CAM milling machine located within the dental clinic that fabricates a beautiful crown within an hour: no mess, no hassle, just a great fitting dental crown in a single dental visit.
If you’re interested to learn more about the dental crown procedure and think you may need a crown, then book an appointment with the team at No Gaps Dental or call us on (02) 8806 0227 today. We provide traditional and same-day CEREC crowns that restore your smile beautifully and efficiently.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.