Preserving Natural Tooth Structure: Dental Crown

Closeup of hands in gloves working on a dental filling.

A dental crown consists of a thin, tooth-shaped cap that is fitted over your tooth, replacing its chewing surface. Crowns can be made of several materials, most commonly metal, porcelain, or a combination of the two. Their purpose is to cover and protect a tooth that has been damaged, or sometimes to act as anchors for a dental bridge.

At Dental Partners of Boston, we offer primarily all-porcelain crowns, some of which can be created and applied in the course of a single visit. Your tooth is trimmed down to make room for the crown. Images are taken of the remaining tooth structure. Then a crown is created to fit perfectly over the tooth.

Binding up cracks

Preserving as much as possible of your natural tooth structure is one way to ensure the health of your mouth. Sometimes, when a tooth is severely cracked or split, a cap holds it together, preventing further breaks. This will help reduce the pain of a cracked tooth and relieve the pressure on it. It also allows the tooth to stay in your mouth rather than extracting and replacing it.

Finishing a root canal

After root canal therapy or cleaning a large cavity, the tooth is more vulnerable to further infection. To protect the tooth and restore its function, the opening is filled and a dental crown is applied. This has the added benefit of strengthening the newly weakened tooth, so you can use it without further damage.

Bridging a gap

If you are missing one or more teeth, a bridge or partial denture may be used to replace them. In many cases, this bridge is fixed to healthy teeth, known as abutment teeth, on either side of the gap. Crown-supported bridges allow for a natural look and a sturdy feel, without invasive surgery like dental implants.

A new face for your tooth

In some cases, dental crowns may be applied for cosmetic reasons when a tooth is chipped or has an undesirable shape. Crowns are one of several possible choices in these cases. We would be happy to discuss your options with you during a consultation.

If you have questions about dental crowns or think you may need one, call our office or contact us online. We’re always happy to give you the information you need to make decisions about your dental health.

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