As far as dental restoration procedures are concerned, getting a crown is one of the best options available right now. Restoring teeth that have been damaged by decay isn't always as simple as getting a filling. In such cases, unless the tooth is extracted, it becomes necessary to consider a more extensive solution.
Although they are not the only option, dental crowns are perhaps the best choice available in such scenarios. However, since many patients feel they are a bit costly, it's important to know exactly when getting crowns is a good idea.
You Have a Cracked or Chipped Tooth
When teeth have suffered a certain degree of damage, it's important to take precautions that will prevent further damage. Cracked and chipped teeth, for instance, can be weakened further by the forces exerted while chewing or grinding. Such teeth may also be more susceptible to decay.
A crown can be used to hold the tooth together and keep it safe from external factors that can weaken it further.
Covering Up Gapped, Crooked, or Stained Teeth
Crowns also have a cosmetic role to play. Although tooth whitening is an available option, it's not always effective when you're trying to get rid of deep stains. Even professional whitening may not be very effective. The same challenge can be seen with crooked teeth or teeth with large gaps. Solutions such as the use of orthodontics sometimes prove to be inadequate. In such cases, using crowns to cover up the teeth provides a very effective solution.
In the case of crooked teeth or teeth with large gaps, there are functional benefits as well because this can make chewing easier and prevent other teeth from becoming misaligned.
After Heavy Filling
Filling of teeth is one of the most common dental procedures, but there are limits to how much the teeth can take. If a tooth has been filled multiple times or if the filling needed was unusually large, the surrounding tooth structure may become weakened. A crown can be used to provide the tooth with a stronger structure.
After a Root Canal
Root canals are some of the more extensive dental procedures. A lot of effort is needed to remove the infected parts of the tooth and seal it up. Unfortunately, the end result is that the tooth is often brittle after such a procedure. To prevent the tooth from chipping or breaking, a crown may be recommended.
