SANTA CRUZ, SCOTTS VALLEY CA
Dentists will usually recommend a crown, also called a cap, if a patient has a tooth that is cracked, broken or decayed beyond the ability of a filling to repair it. Dental crowns can be made from various high-quality materials, including metal and/or porcelain. Just as their name implies, they sit atop a tooth, totally encasing the tooth’s exterior. Crowns are durable and long-lasting and are able to withstand biting pressure.
If you have a damaged tooth, perhaps you’re wondering the best way to repair it. Our cosmetic dentist in Santa Cruz is here to help. We’re taking a look today at dental crowns and why a crown may be the right choice to restore your smile.
Your tooth is cracked or broken
Dental enamel — or the exterior of a tooth — is the strongest substance in the human body. It’s not completely indestructible, though. Sometimes a tooth may break because of existing decay that has eaten deep into the tooth. Sometimes, breaking a tooth can be a complete fluke, like when biting on a fingernail or chicken bone. It’s easy to notice if you have a broken tooth because you’ll feel a big void in the tooth. But fractures or cracks may be more difficult to spot without the help of a dentist.
Your tooth has a large cavity
Usually, our Scotts Valley family dentist will recommend a tooth-colored filling if a tooth has a mild or moderate level of decay. But sometimes, the decay has grown too large for a filling to properly work. If the area of decay is too large, a filling may fail, fall out or even cause the rest of the healthy portion of the tooth to break. A crown would be the preferable choice in this situation because it covers the entire tooth down to the gum line.
You had a root canal
A root canal is a procedure performed when a tooth’s nerve is infected or compromised by oral bacteria. A root canal is a last resort to save a tooth by removing the nerve, blood supply and tooth’s pulp then covering it all with a dental crown.
You want to improve the aesthetics of your teeth
Sometimes dental crowns are recommended for cosmetic purposes, but usually, our dentist will suggest more minimally invasive procedures like dental bonding or veneers. But if a tooth’s structure is weak or compromised, a crown may be the best restorative choice.
You clench or grind your teeth
Bruxism — or the unconscious clenching and grinding of teeth, usually while sleeping — can cause teeth to crack. The grinding exerts a tremendous amount of pressure on the teeth and jaws and can compromise the structure of your teeth. When a tooth becomes fractured — which can easily happen after months or years of untreated Bruxism — a patient may experience unusual sensitivity, zings of pain when biting down or chewing and/or sensitivity to heat or cold. While symptoms, alone, are often indicative of a fracture, confirming it requires a dental exam and x-rays. Placing a crown over a fractured tooth can protect the tooth from additional damage.
GENERAL DENTIST IN SCOTTS VALLEY, SANTA CRUZ, AND LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
Whether you’re looking for a routine professional cleaning, a whitening procedure, orthodontics, a dental crown or other cosmetic services, our team at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry can help. Give us a call at (831) 824-5111 to schedule a consultation or appointment today.
