Discover the Potential Dental Crowns Have To Offer

When you think of restorative dental treatments, a dental crown might not be the first option that comes to mind. Even though they’re one of the most recognized treatments out there, fillings are what we all think of first. So many people don’t know much about crowns until they discover that they might need one.

So if you’ve just learned that you may need a dental crown and don’t know much about them, don’t worry—you’re not the only one, and you don’t have to figure it out on your own! We’re here to help you gather all of the information you need to know about dental crowns so that you can feel confident that you’ve made the best treatment decision for you.

Dental crowns are a long-lasting way to restore and protect the health, appearance, and functionality of your teeth. In some cases, they’re the only way to save a severely damaged tooth. So, why might you need a dental crown, and how can you be sure that you’ll get the best treatment possible? We’ve put together a guide to help you learn the basics.

What’s a dental crown?

Before you can understand why you need a crown, you first need to know what it is. Thankfully, dental crowns are pretty simple! They’re tooth-shaped dental restorations that are placed over a damaged tooth to restore its function, health, and in many cases, its appearance. Your crown will always be custom-made for you to ensure a perfect fit, and crowns made out of materials like porcelain are matched to the size, shape, and shade of your natural teeth. This allows them to blend in perfectly, restoring your naturally beautiful smile.

Why might I need a dental crown?

When teeth do get damaged, there are several ways to repair them. Smaller injuries like minor chips or cracks can usually be repaired with dental bonding or veneers, but large cracks or breaks in a tooth are often best resolved with a dental crown. These larger injuries often require a stronger, more protective restoration that will allow the tooth to look and function the way it did before it was damaged, and that’s exactly what dental crowns provide! By completely covering the portion of your tooth that’s above the gum line, crowns shield your tooth against future injuries and decay. Let’s look at how dental crowns specifically restore dental problems.

Damaged Tooth

Your teeth are designed to be incredibly durable, withstanding years of daily wear and tear, but they aren’t indestructible. Injuries like chipped or broken teeth are relatively obvious because you can usually see them and feel them happening, but cracks may or may not be visible. The biggest sign of a damaged tooth is tooth pain, which can be constant and throbbing or might respond to changes in temperature or pressure.

If you injure your tooth, call and schedule Dr. Staley right away so he can examine it. While you wait for your appointment, you can use a tooth pain remedy like clove oil or over-the-counter pain medications. Cracks or chips in your teeth are sometimes completely painless, though, so it’s important to schedule regular appointments with Dr. Staley. He’ll be able to spot damage to your teeth even if you don’t feel it, hopefully resolving the issue before it becomes major.

Worn-down Tooth

In addition to sudden injuries, teeth can sometimes wear down over time. This often happens because of habitually clenching or grinding your teeth, which can happen when you’re awake or asleep. Severely worn-down teeth look shorter and may be discolored or have rounded or rough edges.

In addition to affecting the appearance of your tooth and making it harder to chew, worn-down teeth often suffer from tooth sensitivity, which can cause sudden, sharp pains in response to pressure or temperature changes. If you clench or grind your teeth or if you notice any of these symptoms, Dr. Staley can help you find relief! Dental crowns can be placed over worn-down teeth to restore their appearance and function while protecting them from additional wear.

Even with the added protection on your worn-down teeth, if you struggle with bruxism, you should also talk to Dr. Staley about how you can reduce or eliminate the habit. There are a lot of relatively simple solutions you can try that can make a huge difference, preventing future damage to your teeth and increasing the longevity of your crown.

Extra Large Filling

When you have a large area of decay on your tooth, you’ll need a larger filling to patch it after Dr. Staley removes the decayed portion of the tooth. A tooth with an extra large filling can become weaker and more vulnerable to issues like cracking, breaking, or tooth sensitivity. If you need a large filling, Dr. Staley might recommend that you get a dental crown over it. The crown will hold your tooth together and help protect it from future damage, ensuring that it remains a healthy, beautiful, and functional part of your smile for years to come.

But how do you know if you need a crown for an extra large filling? Well, many cavities are painless until they reach the center of your tooth, but you may still notice some pain or sensitivity with a large cavity. Large cavities can even show up as visible holes or spots of discoloration on your tooth, but you might not notice the signs on your own.

Not all cavities require dental crowns, so it’s always good to get your dentist’s opinion if you suspect that you have a cavity and to schedule an appointment every six months to catch any potential problems early. Dental crowns are a great solution to protect weakened teeth, but it’s even better for your oral health and your wallet if you can avoid them altogether!

Root Canal Therapy

Root canals are a well-known treatment that can save teeth from severe decay. They can even save teeth that may have otherwise been lost, making it quite the amazing treatment! When you need a root canal, the decay involved causes several symptoms, including persistent throbbing or sharp tooth pain, tooth sensitivity, and discoloration.

You may also notice your gums swelling around the painful tooth. Additionally, teeth that break severely enough to expose the root at the center of your tooth will likely need a root canal to clear out bacteria that the break exposed it to.

Part of the process of getting a root canal involves taking out the infected pulp at the center of your tooth, which includes the blood vessels that keep the tooth strong. Without these, your tooth becomes more brittle and can become discolored. Getting a crown as part of your root canal procedure is a great choice because it protects the tooth underneath it from both injury and decay while keeping it looking just as bright and beautiful as it did before.

Dental Implant

If you lose a tooth to injury or decay, dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there. They’re the only tooth replacement option that replaces your entire tooth, including the root. They do this using a titanium metal rod that’s embedded in your jaw like a tooth root and secured with a dental restoration. This offers unique long-term health benefits for your jaw, protecting its bone density by stimulating bone growth just like a natural tooth root does.

Implants are also incredibly versatile because they can be secured with several types of tooth restorations, allowing them to meet many different treatment needs. If you’re missing a single tooth, for example, your dental implant will be secured with a dental crown.

The crown works to restore the appearance and function of your missing tooth, allowing you to eat just as easily and comfortably as if you’d never lost your tooth! Generally, most people who have a healthy level of bone density in their jaws and good oral health are good matches for dental implants, but if you’re not sure, you can always schedule a consultation with Dr. Staley.

Knowing If You Need a Dental Crown

If you notice any signs that you may need a dental crown, such as a worn tooth or tooth pain or sensitivity, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist. You might not end up needing a crown, but it’s always better to be safe! That said, it’s still possible to need a dental crown even if you’re not noticing any symptoms, so it’s always wise to keep up with your regular cleanings and exams by scheduling an appointment with your dentist in Boise, ID, every six months.

These regular appointments allow Dr. Staley to identify any issues and treat them before they become a bigger problem. Regular appointments even play an active role in preventing oral health issues in the first place by cleaning plaque and hardened tartar from your teeth. As a result, these regular appointments save you from bigger treatments down the road, which also saves you time and money!

Same Day, Same Visit Dental Crowns With CEREC

If you do end up needing a dental crown, don’t be afraid to talk to Dr. Staley about your options. Same-day CEREC crowns are the perfect answer for many patients because they’re great quality and can be designed and milled right in our office in just under an hour. This means that you might only need a single visit to receive your permanent dental crown, making them incredibly convenient and time-saving.

Dental crowns are long-lasting and incredibly versatile, capable of treating a wide range of dental issues. Getting a crown can truly improve your daily life by restoring your oral health and changing the way a damaged tooth looks and functions for years to come. It makes it easy to see why crowns are such a common treatment!

If you’d like to learn more about dental crowns, find a tooth pain remedy while you wait for your procedure, or the benefits of CEREC crowns, feel free to schedule an appointment with Dr. Staley at any time.