Dental Crowns: Reasons You May Need One

by | Sep 18, 2014

Ask anyone in Hendricks County what a crown is, they’re likely to say it’s something that a king or queen wears to cover their head. But there’s another type of crown that covers a tooth, called a dental crown.
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that partially or completely covers the portion of a damaged or decayed tooth that’s visible in your mouth. Dental crowns, also referred to as dental or tooth caps, help restore the strength, shape and size of a tooth as well as its appearance.
Dental crowns can be made from stainless steel, an all metal alloy like gold, all resin, all ceramic, all porcelain or porcelain that’s fused to metal. Once a crown is permanently cemented into place, it becomes your tooth’s new outer surface, functioning like a natural tooth.
Some reasons why Dr. Jon Erickson at Danville Family Dentistry in Hendricks County may recommend placing a crown on your tooth include:

  1. To strengthen and reinforce a cracked tooth or one with a large filling. Sometimes a tooth may break off due to trauma or you may develop a large fracture. A dental crown will hold the cracked tooth together, reducing any stress caused when chewing and eliminating pain. Or, you may have a tooth that’s weakened due to a large filling. A dental crown will cover the remaining tooth, reinforcing it from a fracture.
  2. To protect a tooth that’s had a root canal treatment. If your tooth becomes badly decayed or infected, you may require a root canal to remove the tooth’s nerve and tissue (also called pulp), and to clean out the inside of the tooth. Once the tooth is hollowed out, it is susceptible to cracking. Therefore, a dental crown needs to be placed on the tooth to prevent it from fracturing.
  3. To restore misshapen, excessively worn or severely discolored teeth. If you have teeth that are unusually shaped, discolored or widely spaced, dental crowns can give you back a beautiful smile. Additionally, dental crowns can help restore your bite if your teeth have become worn down from habitual teeth grinding.

If you have a cracked tooth, or are experiencing tooth pain, or you just want to have a more attractive smile, contact Danville Family Dentistry today at 317-745-4400 to schedule an appointment. When you visit our Hendricks County office, Dr. Erickson will examine your teeth and determine if a dental crown is the best solution for your dental health needs.