Dental crowns are among the most versatile types of dental restorations. In fact, your Wauwatosa, WI, dentist, Dr. William Stathas, may recommend a crown if your tooth is damaged, broken, missing, or unattractive.
What are dental crowns?
Dental crowns are hollow restorations that completely cover the top, visible parts of teeth. Also called caps, crowns are made of strong materials that can withstand years of wear and tear, such as porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, ceramic, and resin.
Dental laboratory technicians create a crown that looks natural and feels comfortable using an impression of your mouth made in the Wauwatosa dental office. Before your dentist makes an impression, he'll reduce the size of your tooth slightly. Reducing the size will ensure a proper fit for your restoration.
In most cases, you'll wear a temporary crown for a few weeks until your permanent crown is ready. Your new crown will be cemented onto your tooth after your dentist makes a few fit adjustments.
How can crowns help my smile?
Crowns offer many benefits including:
- Restoration of Broken Teeth: Appearance is definitely an issue if you've broken a tooth, but it's not the only concern. Pain and difficulty chewing can be problems once a tooth breaks. Your new crown will restore the height and width of your tooth, cover the painful ends of teeth, and make chewing comfortable once again.
- Protection for Fragile Teeth: Crowns prevent weak teeth from breaking or fracturing. The restorations strengthen teeth and absorb powerful biting forces, helping you avoid broken teeth. You may need a crown if your tooth is cracked, brittle, or crumbling. A crown may also be recommended if you have a large filling or recently had root canal therapy.
- A More Attractive Smile: Since crowns completely cover the tops of teeth, they're a good option if you have a flaw in a tooth. Crowns are often used to improve tooth shape, lengthen short teeth or hide discolorations and other flaws.
- Tooth Restoration: If you've lost a tooth, crowns may be an integral part of the restoration method you choose. Bridges replace one or two missing teeth and consist of artificial teeth connected to crowns on either side. The crowns anchor the bridge and prevent it from moving when you bite and chew. Crowns are also attached to dental implants. Implants are synthetic titanium posts that bond to your jawbone, permanently replacing tooth roots.
Could dental crowns improve your smile? Call your dentist in Wauwatosa, WI, Dr. Stathas, at (414) 456-9020 to schedule your appointment.