If you have an embarrassing flaw with your smile because of a damaged or missing tooth, know that you can fix this problem realistically with a dental crown. Using dental crown to fix the problem is a viable solution, with their being several procedures that use a crown to do so. Here is what you should know about how dental crowns are used to fix problems related to your smile.

What Is A Dental Crown?

The name dental crown can be a bit misleading, since it doesn't look anything like the traditional crown that you are likely thinking of. Think of a dental crown as a cap, typically made with porcelain, that resembles a natural tooth. It can be used to give strength to a tooth that is damaged and weak, hide cosmetic damage from trauma, or even replace a tooth that is completely missing.

However, the problems with an existing tooth must be fixed before a crown can be placed on it. If not, the problem will continue to get worse underneath the crown where you cannot see it. For example, an infected tooth may need a root canal. If you have a cavity, the decay needs to be removed or else the tooth will only get worse.

How Is A Dental Crown Used?

There are many situations that can cause you to lose a tooth, and a crown will be used as a complete replacement. Common options are to use a dental bridge, where a crown is suspended between two healthy teeth to essentially create a bridge between the two teeth. You can also get an implant, which involves inserting a post directly into your jawbone. Once the post fully integrates, a crown is placed on the post to resemble a real tooth.

Other situations involve preserving an existing tooth with a dental crown. This is often necessary when having a root canal, since the center of a tooth is hollowed out to kill the infected pulp. With the goal of keeping the natural tooth in the jawbone to maintain the health of the jaw, a crown provides the tooth with strength so that it doesn't crumble under pressure. Crowns can also be used to fix a tooth that is badly cracked or chipped, especially when dental bonding is not working to fix the tooth.

For more information about using dental crowns, schedule a consultation with your dentist.