Finding out that you have damaged or broken teeth can be a difficult and stressful experience. But while it may feel like you have no other option than to learn how to live with the pain, there are several dental solutions available — one of which is dental crowns!
A dental crown can help repair your broken teeth and bring back the smile you always wanted.
Say Goodbye to Damaged with Dental Crowns
Teeth are incredibly strong and tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. In fact, tooth enamel is as hard as steel!
Despite that, many things can cause a cracked tooth, dental decay, or other tooth damage. When this happens you may be in mild to extreme pain. Tooth damage can also impact the appearance of your smile, make it hard to chew properly, and can influence your overall well-being and oral health.
Over time, chipped or damaged teeth can worsen as toxic bacteria, enzymes, sugar, and starch speed up decay. Plus, a chipped or broken tooth is already weakened and vulnerable. That makes it susceptible to further damage if you don’t seek dental care.
Dental crowns can cover the damaged or cracked tooth to instantly make it look natural while also providing a layer of protection. Furthermore, crowns can prevent infection, relieve discomfort, and ensure that the tooth doesn’t continue to decay.
In short, a dental crown can eliminate the problems associated with damaged teeth. From chips to cracks, dental crowns can help restore the strength and shape of a broken tooth so it looks as good as new, and you won’t have to worry about hiding your smile and can confidently show off your pearly whites again.
What Causes Damaged or Broken Teeth?
There are many things that can cause a broken tooth as well as many types of damage that can occur.
Decay is one of the most common causes of damage to teeth. It’s caused by bacteria that attack and corrode the tooth enamel. This can affect the tooth’s strength and whiteness, leaving it weaker and discolored. If not treated quickly, this decay can become much worse, leading to further damage and more serious dental problems.
According to the Journal of the American Dental Association, good dental hygiene is the first step in preventing decay, cavities, and gum disease that can contribute to damaged teeth.
Teeth can also be chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged by trauma. This can occur with car accidents, falls, certain sports like boxing (especially if you fail to use a mouthguard), and other activities. Habits like teeth grinding or chewing on ice can gradually damage teeth as well.
Additionally, teeth weaken as we age, which makes them more susceptible to damage when biting hard foods like candy, popcorn kernels, seeds, and more.
To prevent damage, always take good care of your teeth. That means brushing and flossing daily and regular dental visits.
What are Dental Crowns and How Do They Can Fix Chipped or Damaged?
A dental crown is a covering for the broken or damaged portion of the tooth. While this process is sometimes used in cosmetic dentistry because it improves the appearance of your smile, it also protects the tooth from further damage and infection.
Unlike a dental implant that replaces the whole tooth, dental crowns involve grinding or filing away part of the damaged or cracked tooth before covering it. In some cases, when the top of the tooth is broken, but the root is intact, the dental professional may perform root canal therapy to develop a structure for the crown.
In general, dental crowns for broken teeth take 2 dental visits. The first visit is used for x-rays, examination, and taking an impression of the damaged tooth. This allows the crown to be customized specifically for your mouth. The end result is a better-looking and natural-feeling tooth. On the second visit, the dentist will check the fit of the permanent crown and then cement it over the damaged tooth.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
These are some of the biggest benefits of dental crowns when you have a broken tooth.
Protection: A cracked tooth is vulnerable to infection, decay, and further damage. A dental crown can cover tooth cracks, strengthen the tooth, and prevent germs from getting past the enamel.
Appearance: Dental crowns can be made to look almost identical to the natural tooth, which restores the appearance of your smile.
Restoration: The dental crown procedure, sometimes combined with a root canal, can restore the function of your teeth. You will be able to eat, talk, smile, and laugh like you used to before your teeth were damaged.
Long-lasting: Crowns are considered permanent, which means they are a durable, long-lasting solution for damaged, cracked, decayed, or chipped teeth.
Prevention: Some teeth are more vulnerable to tooth decay because the crevices harbor food, bacteria, and sugars. A dental crown encases the tooth and prevents future dental problems.
Types of Dental Crowns
There are lots of reasons for dental crowns including root canal restoration, bite issues, cosmetic restoration, and, of course, damaged teeth. Because of this, there are many types of dental crowns that offer different benefits and downsides.
Metal (gold, nickel, palladium, amalgam, and chromium): These are strong and durable and rarely chip or break. However, they don’t look anything like your natural teeth and can even stain the gums.
Porcelain: Porcelain crowns can be shaped and colored to look almost identical to the natural tooth. Plus, they feel natural and very durable, lasting 15 years or longer. We usually recommend porcelain because of the perfect balance between natural appearance, durability, and customization.
Zirconia: Crowns made from zirconia are considered ceramic. They are strong and durable and can be fitted to your tooth using advanced technology, but the opaque appearance doesn’t look as natural as porcelain dental crowns.
Are Dental Crowns Right for You?
Dental crowns are a great choice for restoring damaged or broken teeth. They can boost your confident smile, protect against further damage, and strengthen cracks and chips.
If you have damaged teeth, it’s important to seek help from a local dentist to see if crowns are right for you. Tooth damage will only get worse without proper dental care, which can mean more pain, expensive repairs, and other dental problems.
If you’re near Nolensville, TN, then schedule an appointment with Dr. Tiffanie Garrison-Jeter today to get started with your dental crown restoration!