Very few people are born with perfect teeth, and even those who are will likely pick up a dental problem or two over the years. So if your dentist has recommended a crown, you are in ordinary company. A crown is one of the most common and most protective restorations in dentistry, and understanding why it was recommended usually takes the worry out of it.
What a dental crown actually is
A dental crown is a restoration that fits over an existing tooth like a cap, covering it on all sides. Once placed, a crown looks like a natural tooth. We match the shading carefully so it blends in with the rest of your smile rather than standing out from it.
Six reasons a dentist recommends a crown
Crowns solve more than one kind of problem. These are the six situations where our team most often recommends one:
- To complete a dental implant. The crown is the visible tooth that finishes the dental implant process.
- To restore a badly damaged tooth. When decay or physical trauma has taken too much of the tooth, a crown rebuilds it.
- To replace an oversized filling. When a tooth cannot support a very large filling, a crown covers the whole tooth instead.
- To protect a weakened or fractured tooth. The crown holds the tooth together and shields it from further damage.
- To anchor a dental bridge. Crowns on the neighboring teeth are what hold a dental bridge in place.
- To restore a tooth after a root canal. A crown protects the treated tooth for the long term.
Beyond these clinical reasons, some patients choose crowns for appearance alone, to cover a severely discolored or misshapen tooth. Because the material is durable and the shade is matched to your smile, the result works either way.
What the process looks like
Getting a crown takes at least two visits, and there is a good reason for that. At the first appointment, we prepare the tooth and take an impression, which goes to a lab where your crown is crafted to fit your tooth precisely. At the second appointment, we place and adjust it until the fit and bite feel right. The material used for modern crowns is stronger than ever and made to look like a natural tooth, so the finished restoration is built to last.
If the idea of two appointments makes you tense rather than the appointments themselves, that is worth saying out loud. Comfort is the center of how we practice. We rely on continual feedback from our patients throughout every procedure, and our Fear-Less Dentistry approach means you set the pace, not the schedule.
Talk to us about your tooth
If a tooth is damaged, weakened, or simply bothering you, a crown may be the answer, and finding out is easy. You can request an appointment with Dr. Alex Balaban online or call us at (317) 575-1995. We will look at the tooth, explain your options plainly, and let you decide from there.
This article is for general education only and is not a substitute for professional dental advice. For guidance about your own smile, talk with your dentist.