Kingston TN
A dental crown replaces the entire exterior of a tooth. Once installed, a crown protects a tooth from further damage, preventing tooth loss. A tooth treated with a crown regains its function and looks natural because it is made with dental porcelain, a material that is beautiful, resists surface stains and is designed to last for many years with good care and maintenance. Today on the blog, your Kingston restorative dentist looks at five signs that you need a dental crown in Kingston.
Sign 1: You have older fillings
For decades, dentists filled cavities with large amalgam or silver fillings. Many adults today still have these silver fillings. Unfortunately, amalgam fillings are known to fall out or cause the existing tooth structure to crack or break entirely, resulting in the need for a dental crown. In conclusion, if you have old silver fillings, it is likely that you may need to replace it with a crown at some point.
Sign 2: Your tooth is cracked or broken
A cracked or broken tooth can happen at any time, but it usually occurs either from a fall or accident or from biting something hard. If your tooth develops a crack or a piece breaks off, then the best solution is often a dental crown. Otherwise, the tooth is exposed to bacteria that could lead to decay or tooth sensitivity. Additionally, a cracked tooth could worsen the more times that you chew and bite. Since a dental crown covers the entire tooth, it holds the structure together and prevents the crack from getting worse.
Sign 3: Your tooth has extensive decay
A dental filling is the most conservative treatment for a cavity of small to moderate size. However, if the cavity is large, a crown may be the best option. Think of it this way: if you have a concrete staircase and a large chunk of the concrete crumbles or breaks off, you can’t patch the remaining portion of the step with new concrete. If you did, it probably wouldn’t be very strong and would likely break and crumble again. There isn’t enough stable structure left to repair. A tooth is similar; if there is not enough tooth structure left after removing the decay, a crown is needed to repair the tooth.
Sign 4: You’ve had a root canal
A root canal cleans out the tooth’s interior, which is the blood supply and nerve, often removing an infection or decay that has infiltrated through the tooth’s exterior. A dental crown is always recommended as the final step in a root canal procedure, and replaces the exterior of the treated tooth.
Sign 5: Your tooth is misshapen or stained
A tooth that is misshapen or stained can be repaired with more conservative treatments like dental bonding or veneers, depending on how much of the tooth structure is healthy enough to withstand the restoration. However, in some cases, a crown may be the best option to conceal these imperfections.
Dental Crowns in Kingston, Tennessee
Dental crowns are one of the most commonly performed procedures in dentistry. With good care and maintenance, a crown can last for many years. Restorative dentistry is one of the specialties of Dr. James Walmsley. To learn more about our crown procedure or any of the services offered at LakeView Dental Arts, call (865) 376-9687 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
