When there is a small cavity or void in the enamel, a filling is used to plug and seal the hole in the tooth. The filling can stop the cavity from spreading and can provide a limited level of stability to the tooth. There are some instances when a tooth requires a restoration larger or stronger than a simple filling. Rather than fill an opening in the tooth, a dental crown provides complete coverage, or caps the tooth. In these special circumstances, your dentist may recommend a crown.
- Broken or fractured teeth (Over time, fractures can occur in teeth that are subject to extreme biting forces, such as molar teeth. Fractures can also occur in teeth that have very large or compromised silver or tooth colored fillings).
- Root Canal Treated teeth (following a root canal treatment, the remaining tooth structure is typically weakened due to the absence of the pulp or nerve. The enamel may become too brittle to tolerate normal biting and chewing forces. The filling material that is generally placed into the root canal is also highly sensitive to moisture, often requiring the protection provided by dental crowns).
- Dental implants (Once a dental implant has been placed into the bone, a dental crown is usually the restoration of choice, generally used to replace the lost chewing or biting surface).
The procedure for placing a crown generally involves two steps. In the first visit, the dentist will prepare the indicated tooth by reducing the tooth structure. An impression of the prepared tooth as well as the surrounding teeth will be used to determine the shape and size of the future crown. At this point, a temporary crown may be placed while the crown is fabricated in a dental lab. When the final crown is ready to be placed, the temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown can be seated. The crown is typically made from a combination of porcelain and semi-precious metals, according to your specific needs.
If you feel that you may require a dental crown, postponing treatment can enable decay to spread and discomfort to increase. Reserve your appointment to discuss crowns in Toronto right away.