A dental crown may be required for a variety of reasons. Let’s take a look at why one might need a crown.
One common reason is that the enamel will no longer function as intended. Enamel is the human body’s toughest substance, built to withstand the mechanical pressures, chemicals, and temperature our teeth experience when we eat and drink. Unfortunately, it is not impenetrable.
What exactly is a dental crown?
Most people are familiar with the term “dental crown,” though some refer to it as a “cap.” The term crown refers to the anatomical component of each tooth that protrudes from the gums and bone. The crown does not include the tooth’s roots, and enamel covers the whole crown in a healthy tooth.
A crown is also a type of dental treatment that covers the complete anatomical crown of a tooth. It is essentially a cover that will go over the remaining part of the tooth to cover and protect it. It will cover the entire portion of the exposed tooth and replace the need for enamel for that tooth. When properly seated, a dental crown will be very close to the other teeth and gumline.
Why are some teeth in need of dental crowns?
As stated before, most of the time, it is due to failing enamel. However, other reasons, such as cracking, acid erosion, and degradation, are responsible for failing enamel and cavities.
Some reasons for needing crowns are large cavities, which usually happen because you haven’t seen the dentist in quite some time. This is why ensuring you make those six-month dental appointments to have your teeth properly cleaned and inspected is so important. While you might floss and brush as you should, you cannot get your teeth as clean as they will professionally. This is also a time to have a dental inspection to ensure you don’t have any cavities forming. When the teeth are left, a large cavity can form, causing a need for a crown or a large filling that might not hold up under pressure on its own.
Acid erosion is another cause for needing crowns. Patients with stomach issues or those who drink a lot of soda will sometimes find their enamel breaking down. The only way to fix this issue is by adding a crown.
Cracked teeth are another very common reason for needing to get a crown. Often times a cracked tooth cannot be repaired without the help of a crown to hold it together.
All of the above might get so bad that a root canal will be needed. In the case of a root canal, it is often recommended that you get a crown to protect the crown of the tooth. After a root canal, the tooth will become brittle over time. A crown is recommended to protect it from breaking off.
Call TLC Dental Today!
While we all hope that we don’t need a dental crown, there are times when it is simply unavoidable. Getting your teeth professionally cleaned can certainly help, but there are times when the situation cannot be prevented. If you should have questions regarding getting a dental crown, TLC Dental would be happy to answer them. Our team of professionals assists our patients with making the very best choices for their dental needs. Call (02) 8599 7107 today.