The Risks and Benefits Associated with Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are used in both restorative and cosmetic dentistry. They help improve the appearance of damaged teeth while also protecting them for a good-looking smile and improved teeth function. A crown looks like a tooth-like cap and is placed over a tooth to improve the shape, size and to even strengthen it. Usually, a crown has to be customized to ensure it meets your specific needs. Once your dentist is sure you are satisfied with the design, the tooth is prepared for the crown to fit and be cemented in place. The entire tooth is covered from above the gum line, and only the crown remains visible.

What Problems Can Dental Crowns Help Solve?

Like with any other dental procedure, it is important to first seek the advice of a dentist before starting treatments. At Burton Dentistry, consultations are mandatory before you can get any kind of treatment. This helps patients make informed decisions and also helps tame expectations. In the case of dental crowns, our dentist will only recommend it in the following situations;

• You have a weak tooth caused by decay or trauma. A dental crown absorbs the chewing pressure to stop a weak or fractured tooth from completely breaking away.
• For a broken tooth to ensure equitable distribution of chewing forces. A tooth with a severely worn-out enamel can also benefit from a crown.
• To support teeth with large fillings.
• To facilitate other dental treatments like the use of bridges and implants.
• To improve the appearance of your smile when you have severely discoloured or misshapen teeth.

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Most dental treatments put emphasis on saving the natural tooth, and dental crowns support this as well. Crowns are used when your teeth could benefit from the extra support and protection they provide. Here are some of the advantages of using dental crowns;

• They are a versatile cosmetic treatment that can fix multiple imperfections in teeth. You can use them to cover crooked, chipped and discoloured teeth or even close small gaps between teeth.
• Crowns are quite durable and easy to maintain. You just need to keep up with good oral hygiene and routine dental visits, and they could last up to 15 years or more. And in case they are damaged or fall out, you can have them replaced.
• It can be made to blend in with your other teeth for a natural-looking smile.
• The procedure for getting them is simple and minimally invasive. Modern dentistry has made it possible for you to get same-day dental crowns with no downtime experienced whatsoever.
• Patients easily adjust to crowns as they are made to be as natural as possible for comfortable wear.

Risks Associated with Dental Crowns

Generally, dental crowns have a high success rate, and most patients go through the procedure without any complications. However, it is still important to be enlightened about any possible risks so that you are better prepared on how to respond.

Provided the procedure is performed by a skilled and well-trained dentist, there are no major risks. The only commonly reported problem is that some patients experience tooth sensitivity immediately after having the crown fitted in. This usually resolves by itself within a couple of days but if it persists, seek the opinion of a dentist to ensure all is well.

If you find the crown too uncomfortable, that could be a sign it was not properly fitted and thus the need to see a dentist to have it resolved. Loosening the crown and having it fall off is also a problem you may experience. If this happens, visit your dentist soon to have the crown replaced as the tooth that was being protected is now vulnerable.

While all the situations mentioned above could qualify you for getting crowns, a standard requirement is that patients have all their permanent teeth intact, except in the case of implants where they function as the tooth’s replacement. There are also a few cases where the dentist may recommend using crowns on primary teeth. For a better understanding of the value dental crowns have on your oral health, book an appointment with our clinic today.