Dental crowns are a treatment used in tooth restoration. They are occasionally used for cosmetic purposes, but this usage is much less common today than it has been in the past. A crown can be used to restore or protect a tooth or to anchor a bridge for tooth replacement.

When Are Dental Crowns Used?

Crowns are most often used to repair teeth that have been damaged and cannot be restored with tooth replacement. Sometimes this repair helps prevent extraction of the tooth. Some circumstances under which crowns are used for include:

• A tooth that has been broken off
• A tooth that has cracked
• A tooth that needs additional restoration after being filled
• A tooth that has received a root canal treatment
• Anchorage for a crown and bridge tooth replacement

Crowns are placed in two stages. First, the tooth must be prepared for the crown, which usually involves reshaping the tooth. If a tooth has been broken off, other measures might need to be taken to create enough room to anchor the crown.

Benefits of Crowns

Crowns have the benefit of protecting the tooth and keeping it strong so it can withstand the pressure of chewing and biting. They are available in several varieties depending upon where the crown is placed and how much pressure it needs to withstand. If a crown is placed on a front tooth, it is usually constructed of porcelain so it looks natural. Crowns placed on molars are usually metal or metal bonded with porcelain.

The crown also plays a major role in restoring a tooth after root canal treatment. Generally, teeth that receive this treatment would otherwise have to be extracted. The crown helps strengthen the tooth after its internal structures—the pulp and the tooth nerve—have been removed to eliminate infection. After treatment with a root canal and a crown, the tooth is once again functional and strong.

If you would like more information on what treatment options Nashua Family Dentistry has for you, call our office to make an appointment.