If you are looking for a solution to repair damage or cosmetic flaws in your teeth, dental crowns could be the answer. Dental crowns are small caps that are virtually identical in appearance to natural teeth. This guide will introduce three important functions of dental crowns so you can take advantage of this invaluable treatment.

1. Restoring Damaged Teeth

Mild dental trauma includes cracks, chips, and tooth decay that only affects the outer layers of dental enamel. Dental crowns can be used to cover damaged teeth semi-permanently so that there are no visible signs of damage. The tooth enamel is filed down to a layer beneath the existing damage, and the crown is then placed over the entire tooth.

2. Protecting Teeth While They Heal

Sometimes, dental crowns are only used temporarily while a tooth is healing. In these cases, larger crowns are used that can fit the entire tooth without filing. Dental crowns provide protection and support, and they stimulate healing in cracked or decayed teeth. Crowns are also commonly used to reduce sensitivity and discomfort in teeth that have undergone a root canal.

Your dentist will decide whether to use temporary or permanent crowns on a case-by-case basis. If damage is mild and hasn't severely affected the structure of a tooth or the nerves in the tooth pulp, a temporary crown may be ideal. More severe damage may necessitate a permanent crown if your dentist suspects that the tooth won't survive on its own.

3. Concealing Dental Implants

Dental implants are popular prosthodontics that provide complete functional and cosmetic restoration for missing teeth. If you choose dental implants to replace one or more missing teeth, you will also need a dental crown for each missing tooth.

Dental crowns are attached to a component of the dental implant called the abutment with a screw or dental cement. The abutment emerges from the gum tissue in the dental socket, where it is affixed to the titanium implant post. Your dentist will take an impression of your bite before the implant crown is manufactured to ensure a perfect fit for your teeth.

Some people may think of crowns as a simple cosmetic procedure, but dental crowns can do so much more. In fact, crowns can provide the solution for a majority of common functional and aesthetic dental issues. Talk to your dentist about crowns if you are ever in need of dental restoration.

For more information on dental crowns, contact a dentist near you.