Restorative Dental Crowns, How They Can Benefit You
Dental crowns play an important role in restorative dentistry. They help repair worn, severely decayed, or injured teeth to preserve their usefulness. A dental crown can fortify a tooth that’s sustained severe damage or reinforce a weak or worn tooth to restore its function. Dental crowns from Ridgewood Dentistry can even save damaged teeth from extraction. You can learn more about dental crowns from your Ridgewood, New Jersey dentist, Dr. Warren Boardman.
Real patients, Real results – discover the Ridgewood Dentistry difference.
Implant Crowns
Implant Crown Before After
Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain Crowns Before After
Benefits of Crowns
Dental crowns are highly versatile due to their restorative properties. They can be used in numerous ways to protect, preserve, or improve your smile. Here are just a few:
- Fortify a weak or worn tooth – Worn teeth often have thin or weak tooth enamel prone to decay, chipping, or tooth sensitivity. Crowning a worn tooth strengthens its structure and protects the enamel from further erosion.
- Mend chipped, cracked, or broken teeth – Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth compromise your smile’s appearance and tooth functionality. If too much pressure is placed on a fractured or broken tooth, it could crumble. A dental crown will sustain a broken tooth’s structure and protect it from further damage so that you can use it as usual. The crown will also conceal the damage to improve your tooth’s appearance.
- Restore severely decayed teeth – Dental crowns can restore severely decayed teeth to avoid extraction. Dr. Boardman will remove the decay and cover the tooth with a crown to restore its usefulness.
- Complete a restorative treatment – Dental crowns are also used to complete other restorative treatments like root canal therapy and dental implants.
To learn more about our dental crown treatments, contact Ridgewood Dentistry, Ridgewood, NJ, at (201) 448-8605.
Crowns are dental restorations that are necessary when there is no longer enough tooth structure to support fillings or after the completion of root canal therapy. There are many reasons why a tooth may need a crown. These include restoration after root canal therapy to repair a tooth that has decay under a large filling to restore teeth with broken fillings, or to save teeth that have fractured in order to prepare the tooth for a crown. Your dentist will reduce approximately one and a half millimeters off of every aspect of the tooth to create room for the crown. An impression of the prepared tooth will then be taken. This impression will be sent to the laboratory where the final crown will be fabricated. After acquiring an impression, your dentist will place a temporary crown on the tooth and will arrange an appointment to insert the permanent crown when it comes from the laboratory. At the subsequent visit, the temporary will be removed and the permanent crown will be tried in. Your dentist will check the fit, the bite, and the aesthetics. When the desired results have been attained, your dentist will cement the permanent crown. This restoration should provide years of service, comfort, and be aesthetically pleasing.
Single Dental Crowns FAQs
How does a dental crown protect the root of my tooth?
While a dental crown doesn’t directly cover the root, it provides critical protection to the tooth structure above it. By encasing the visible portion of a damaged or weakened tooth, the crown helps prevent cracks or fractures that could extend to the root. This protective barrier also reduces the risk of future infections or the need for root canal treatment. Additionally, by stabilizing the tooth structure, a crown ensures the tooth remains functional for years.
Can a dental crown help improve the way I bite and chew?
Yes. Crowns are not just for appearance. They are designed to restore the function of your tooth, including proper chewing and biting mechanics. If you’ve had difficulty chewing due to a damaged tooth or uneven bite, a well-placed crown can realign your bite and distribute chewing forces more evenly, reducing strain on your other teeth and jaw. This can improve your eating experience and overall dental health.
Are there any foods I should avoid after getting a crown?
Immediately after getting a crown, especially if it’s temporary, avoiding sticky, hard, or chewy foods that could dislodge or damage the crown is best. Once a permanent crown is in place, you can enjoy most foods. However, minimizing very hard items like ice or popcorn kernels will help extend the lifespan of your crown. Sticky candies, such as taffy, can also put unnecessary stress on your restoration. Maintaining good eating habits will protect your investment.
What makes ceramic or porcelain crowns a better choice for front teeth?
Ceramic and porcelain crowns are highly valued for mimicking teeth’ natural color and translucency. These materials blend seamlessly with your smile, making them ideal for front teeth restorations. They also resist staining, providing a long-lasting aesthetic solution compared to other crown types. Furthermore, advancements in dental technology have made these materials even more durable for everyday use.
Can a crown help with tooth sensitivity?
Yes, a dental crown can significantly reduce tooth sensitivity. If your tooth is exposed or weakened due to decay, cracks, or enamel erosion, a crown covers and insulates it, preventing sensitivity to hot, cold, or sugary foods. By creating a protective shield, crowns restore comfort during everyday eating and drinking. This benefit makes crowns a preferred solution for patients experiencing chronic sensitivity.
How is a crown different from a dental veneer?
While both crowns and veneers improve the appearance of teeth, they serve different purposes. A crown covers the entire tooth, offering structural reinforcement for teeth that are heavily damaged or weakened. In contrast, a veneer only covers the front surface and is primarily used for cosmetic enhancements on teeth that are otherwise healthy. Crowns provide aesthetic and functional improvements, while veneers focus mainly on appearance.
What happens if a crowned tooth develops decay underneath?
Decay beneath a crown can occur if plaque and bacteria build up along the gum line. If detected early, the decay may be treatable without replacing the crown. In more severe cases, the crown may need to be removed, the decay addressed, and a new crown placed. Regular dental visits help catch such issues early and keep your crown in good condition. Proper brushing and flossing techniques are essential to prevent decay from developing in the first place.
