Dental Crowns

There are multiple reasons why someone may require a crown. Crowns are typically used when dental fillings or pre-formed fillings would be insufficient to restore a tooth. In many cases, a dental crown allows patients to retain a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted.

Crowns are commonly placed following invasive restorative treatments, such a root canal. To remove infected tissue from within a tooth, your dentist has to drill a hole on the top of the tooth. A dental crown is often the preferred choice of restoration following root canal therapy or another invasive restorative treatment.

A crown may be needed following trauma. If your tooth becomes cracked or seriously chipped, a crown may be your only option for preserving what remains of your tooth. Tooth preservation is often preferable to tooth extraction. Tooth roots play an important role in maintaining jawbone health.

Crowns can support a dental bridge. If you have lost one tooth, the teeth on either side of the gap in your smile can support a traditional bridge. A traditional bridge is held in place through the use of two crowns that sit on abutment teeth. The crowns are attached to one or more false teeth that fill in the gap in your smile.

You may also need to have a dental crown placed if your current crown is worn or loose. The average lifespan of a dental crown is around 10 years, but the restorations can last much longer when properly cared for.