Do Dental Crowns Really Save Teeth?


Do Dental Crowns Really Save Teeth?

By Wright Smiles

They’re not exactly the most common dental treatment, but so many people have received dental crowns that those who don’t have one are still likely to know what the restoration is. What isn’t as well known is exactly why they’re necessary, or exactly how dental crowns can save afflicted teeth from complete destruction, or the need for extraction. Unfortunately, that lack of knowledge could make some people hesitate to receive a dental crown, prolonging the threat to their oral health and increasing their chances of sustaining serious tooth damage or loss.

The Nature of Tooth Damage

Your teeth are meant to withstand a lot of pressure (their main purpose is to constantly bite and chew), but they aren’t indestructible. Poor hygiene can leave your teeth weaker than usual, and excessive force (like an accidental blow to the face or mouth) can crack, fracture, break, or completely knock out one or more of your teeth. Unlike a cut that heals or a broken bone that mends, a damaged tooth won’t be able to repair itself, and the damage can grow worse if the tooth remains exposed and untreated.

What a Dental Crown Does

You might have heard dental crowns referred to as caps, which as an apt description since they’re designed to completely cover the top part of your tooth, also called a crown. Made from lifelike dental porcelain or zirconia, depending on your specific needs, your dental crown will restore your damaged tooth’s ability to withstand bite pressure, reestablishing the full function of your tooth.

What if the Tooth is Lost?

If you wait long enough to treat tooth damage, or if the initial damage is severe enough (such as a cracked tooth root), then saving the tooth might not be an option. However, even if the tooth is lost or needs to be extracted, a dental crown may still help save your smile. In such severe cases, Dr. Wright and Dr. Heron often recommend replacing the lost tooth with a dental implant-supported crown. A prosthetic tooth root, or dental implant, can be inserted into your jawbone, and then capped with a durable, realistic dental crown, creating a replacement for your tooth’s entire root-and-crown structure.

ABOUT YOUR SOUTHLAKE DENTISTS:

As a native Texan, Gregory Wright, DDS, opened his private practice in Southlake, TX in 1992. He and Dr. Victoria Heron are happily accepting new patients from Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, Trophy Club, Colleyville, and all surrounding communities. To learn more, call our office today at (817) 481-7999.