A dental crown is a restoration that covers the tooth above the gum line. Patients require dental crowns for a variety of reasons, but one of the most common is the presence of a large filling.
If a filling stretches over half the width of a tooth, the remaining part of the tooth becomes weak and prone to cracking. Fitting a crown over the tooth protects both the natural tooth and the filling material. The same solution may also protect a tooth that has undergone a root canal since the removal of the natural interior of the tooth leaves it prone to breakage.
Crowns may likewise protect teeth that have internal fractures that cause pain in chewing. By taking on some of the force of use, a crown can relieve this discomfort.
A crown is similarly effective in providing structural support in a tooth that is worn down from grinding or medical causes. The crown can keep the enamel on the tooth from wearing away completely.
Some patients choose crowns for purely cosmetic reasons. Crowns correct discoloration or abnormal shape and restore the patient’s smile. For more information on crowns, visit www.roderickgarciadmd.com or call 505-821-6119.