Dental Crowns

When a tooth becomes severely damaged, broken, cracked, or decayed, a simple filling may no longer be enough. When the tooth needs to be dramatically reshaped or reconstructed, a dentist may need to use a dental crowns (Dental Crown, When and How? Page), which is a permanent covering (Ceramic Crown Page) that fits over a tooth.

How Do Dental Crowns Work?

A crown is used to entirely cover or “Cap” (Cap Page) a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment. A crown can also be placed on top of an implant (Implants Page) to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for function.

When Is A Dental Crowns Needed?

A dental crowns may be needed in the following situations:

To protect a weak tooth (for instance, from decay) from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth.
To restore an already broken tooth (Bonding Page) or a tooth that has been severely worn down.
To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t a lot of tooth left.
To hold a dental bridge (Bridges Page) in place.
To cover misshapen or severely discolored teeth.
To cover a dental implant (Cosmetic Dentistry Page).
To make a cosmetic modification (What a Cosmetic Dentist Can Do For You Page).

Dental Crowns Material:

In most cases, crowns are made of porcelain (Porcelain Veneers Page), gold, or other metals. Many patients prefer porcelain crowns, because they are tooth-colored and therefore look more like a natural tooth. However, metal crowns tend to last longer. No matter what sort of crown you have, you will need to take very good care of your teeth once you have a crown. Daily flossing and brushing (Dental Flossing Mastering Instructions Page) as well as regular dental check-ups (Dental Cleaning & Regular Check-ups) at ” West L.A Dental Care”(Welcome to West LA Dental Care Page) are essential to ensuring that your crowns last a long time.

How Long Do Crowns And Bridges Last?

While dental crowns and bridges can last a lifetime, they do sometimes become loose or fall out. Just like your own teeth, crowns may develop cavity at the edges where they touch your teeth. The most important step you can take to ensure the longevity of your crown or bridge is to practice good oral hygiene.