Signs You Need a Dental Crown
Crowns can be tricky. Unlike other dental problems you may experience, it can be really difficult to tell when a crown is called for. Fortunately, we can help. Read on to learn what a crown is, what the signs are you may need one, and how to know for sure if you require a crown.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A tooth consists of two parts—the root and the crown. The root is the part of your tooth that sits below the gumline. The crown is the visible part that exists above the gumline.
When you get a dental crown, we cement a natural-colored “cap” on top of your tooth to protect it or to improve its shape, function, or appearance. By doing this, we strengthen your tooth, reestablishing its structural integrity so its health is restored.
What Are Signs I May Need a Dental Crown?
If you’re experiencing any of the following, you may need a crown:
- Large Filling: During a filling, we remove the decayed portion of a tooth, clean the area out, and then use a filling material to fill the cavity. If the filling is large, the remaining tooth area is weak and prone to fracturing. In cases like these, we’ll use a crown to protect the tooth from stress and cracks.
- Broken Cusps: Cusps are the pointy parts of your teeth that are used for tearing food. Occasionally cusps break off and when that occurs, we need to protect the tooth by placing a crown.
- Excessive Wear: Sometimes patients have worn teeth due to grinding, acid reflux disease, bulimia, or a highly acidic diet. In cases like these, the bite can collapse. We’ll then add crowns to restore teeth to their normal size.
- Undesirable Appearance: Most of our patients who ask us for crowns do so because they want to change the look of their teeth. Crowns can be used to change the shape or color of a tooth, and they can also be used to eliminate the appearance of gaps between teeth.
- Root Canal: A tooth is hollowed-out during a root canal. As a result, the remaining tooth area is weakened. For this reason, a tooth that’s had a root canal usually requires a crown.
- Dental Implants: When a patient gets dental implants, they’ll initially have spaces from missing teeth. Implant Crowns are then used to fill the spaces left from those missing teeth.
How Can I Know for Sure Whether I Need a Dental Crown?
Unfortunately, you may need a crown, even if you aren’t experiencing any of these obvious signs. That’s one reason why regular dental checkups are so important.
Checkups give us the opportunity to do a visual exam and take x-rays, so we can assess for sure whether you need a crown or not. If you do need one, we’ll map out a treatment plan for you, taking into consideration your long-term dental health and aesthetic goals.
If you’re due for a dental checkup, you can schedule your visit online or call our office at 614.328.9489 to request an appointment. We are located at 6304 Scioto Darby Road in Hilliard and offer evening office hours for your convenience.
