The Many Uses of Dental Crowns


The Many Uses of Dental Crowns

By Wright Smiles

Healthy teeth do more than fill out a smile nicely; they’re also the most used parts of the body, responsible for tearing and chewing food, enunciating words properly, and uplifting the facial features surrounding your smile. When a tooth is damaged or infected with disease, it can inhibit your mouth’s proper function. A dental crown is a replica of the top portion of your tooth, and fits over a compromised tooth to protect it from the pressures of biting and chewing. Because they’re designed to closely mimic a natural tooth, dental crowns from your Southlake dentist can also replace a lost or extracted tooth when attached to a dental implant.

Restoring Damaged Teeth

Teeth and bone are often confused as the same substance. While both are comprised largely of calcium and other minerals, teeth and bone are different in a number of important ways. For instance, teeth lack the regenerative cells that help bones heal; if a tooth is broken, it can’t repair itself like bone does. If the compromised tooth is subjected to pressure, it can break further and expose the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels (pulp) to bacteria and infection. Once Dr. Wright ensures that the damaged tooth is free of disease, which may involve a root canal procedure, then he can place a dental crown over the weak tooth to restore and protect it. Cases of extreme tooth decay, where neglect has allowed the internal tooth infection to reach the sensitive pulp, may also require a root canal procedure followed by a dental crown.

Replacing Lost or Extracted Teeth

Dental crowns are designed to mimic the part of your tooth that rests above the gum line. A healthy tooth, however, also consists of a root that continues underneath the gums and extends into the jawbone. Roots provide teeth with a sturdy foundation that contributes to their strength, and the stimulation from biting and chewing invites nutrients to the jawbone to support your teeth. A dental implant, which is a small root device that is surgically inserted into the jawbone, can act as an anchor for a custom dental crown to replace a tooth that’s been lost or requires extraction. By emulating a natural tooth’s complete root-and-crown structure, a dental implant and crown can offer the most lifelike and long-lasting tooth replacement option available.

About Gregory Wright, DDS:

As a native Texan, Dr. Gregory Wright opened his private practice in Southlake, TX in 1992. He is happily accepting new patients from Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, Trophy Club, Colleyville, and all surrounding communities. To schedule an appointment with your cosmetic dentist, call our office today at (817) 481-7999.