Dental Crowns Use
For some people the dentist is a scary place that they dread going to and others find it fun and enjoyable. So, let’s say you just visited your dental office for a cleaning and exam. You brush and floss religiously and your teeth felt fine going in, but after your dentist informs you that one of your teeth needs a crown. How could this happen? And is it truly necessary?
Usually when someone needs a crown, it’s when the tooth in question is decaying or a portion is broken but salvageable. The crown is normally made from ceramic that is colored to match your teeth and covers the visible area of the entire tooth, or it covers only the problem area. Not only are crowns used in repairing large or deep areas of decay and missing portions of a tooth, but crowns are also used to control fractures, correct bite, and alignment problems, and improve esthetics.
However, dentists sometimes disagree about crowns and when they’re needed. Most dentists will analyze all the clues and decide whether a less expensive filling would work, be a temporary fix, or just make things worse. For instance, if you’re someone who likes to chew ice, a crown might be the best solution because of its added strength. These are judgment calls you and your dentist will decide upon together on whether or not a crown is best to go with.
There are also different types of crowns you and your dentist will need to discuss on depending on your budget and the condition of your teeth:
Partial Crown:
If only a portion of a tooth is needed to be covered, a “partial” crown made from ceramic or metal can be used to fix that minor area.
Full Crown:
If it’s the entire tooth that is needed to be covered by a “full” crown, the choices are broader, including ceramic, ceramic covered metal, or 100% gold or silver metal.
Your dentist can go deeper into the details of crowns, but if your dentist says you need a crown, you probably do. Ask your dentist to explain their findings and all your options to fix the issue, including fillings. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the procedures and finances to help the process as easy as possible.
