Dental Care and Special Needs: Planning for Success

Posted on: 13 April 2021

Getting a dental crown is among the most popular restorative dental procedures in the United States. As noted in a study by the American College of Prosthodontists, about 2.3 million dental crowns are made annually. Crowns are mainly made of porcelain and take the form of caps that are placed on top of a dental implant to replace a missing tooth. They are also placed on decaying or damaged teeth to strengthen them or improve their overall appearance.

Here are the top five indicators that you might need a dental crown.

1. If Your Tooth Is Significantly Decayed

As indicated in a report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 13.2% of children and teenagers and 25.9% of adults live with untreated tooth decay in the US. You might be one of the statistics.

If you have dental caries, you might be thinking of filling as the solution. What if more than half of the tooth is decayed? Filling may not help, and you will need a dental crown.

2. Fractured Teeth

Your teeth are not like other bones in your body. In case you get a fractured arm, there are high chances that the bones will heal. However, it might not be the case with your teeth. In other words, the enamel cannot heal by itself.

Actually, the fracture will only expose your tooth to infections. You need a crown to hold the broken pieces together, protecting your tooth from bacteria and further damage.

3. You Recently Had a Root Canal

In a recent article, the American Association of Endodontists notes that a root canal is a treatment that eliminates bacteria from an infected root canal, preventing further infection. The objective is to save the natural tooth. However, the procedure is highly invasive.

As the dentist drills into the middle of your tooth, the surgery leaves the tooth's structures completely weak. In some instances, chewing becomes difficult. The best way of strengthening a weak tooth is by covering it with a crown.

4. Stained Teeth

If your teeth don't look as white or bright as they should, dental crowns might be perfect remedies. Teeth discoloration is caused by years of smoking or drinking coffee, tea, and dark sodas. With years, your teeth become stained, substantially affecting your self-esteem. A crown can correct discoloration, greatly improving your teeth's appearance.

5. Abnormally Small Teeth

Having atypically small teeth can be embarrassing. The condition is known as microdontia and can affect one, two, or all teeth. However, you don't have to worry. The unusual shape or size of your teeth can be corrected by placing porcelain dental crowns. The crowns help in not only redesigning but also in fortifying one's teeth.

Conclusion

If you notice any of the above uncomfortable dental symptoms, dental crowns can be of significant help. The restorative covering, mainly made of porcelain, can restore your tooth's structure, strengthen it, and improve its appearance.

For more information, talk to a local dentist.