Tooth crowns are best for badly damaged teeth

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When tooth is badly damaged or decayed, a dental crown may be a good treatment option. It is a tooth-shaped covering that is placed on the damaged tooth. Sometimes, it is called cap because it looks like one.

Tooth crown may be placed for several reasons, but generally it is used when the tooth has been extensively damaged by decay or breakage or when a filling material can't replace the missing tooth parts. A crown may hold the parts of a cracked tooth together and can be used to hold a bridge in place. Crowns also are used for cosmetic purposes to cover misshaped or badly discolored teeth. It also protects weak teeth from fracturing and restores fractured teeth. Dental crowns may be made of metal, porcelain, or new restorative materials like metal free ceramics, plastic, ceramic or metal alloys. They all create a natural tooth like appearance.

Most often, crowns are placed following root canal treatment. A RCT is done to remove the decayed pulp that is present in the interior of the tooth. Following an RCT, the root canal is filled with an inert filling and canal is sealed. The tooth is prepared by filing the tooth. Then an impression of the tooth is taken along with teeth above or below the tooth where the crown has to be placed. The impression material sets in five or six minutes and is then removed. This is done to ensure that the crown fixes properly and does not affect the bite.

The dental impressions are sent to the lab, where the crown is fabricated. Until then a temporary crown is placed. During the second visit, dentist will remove the temporary crown and try the permanent one. Once the crown is ready, it is cemented onto the tooth and the bite is checked.

Today, there are different types of tooth crowns to meet the cosmetic needs of the patients. There are “all ceramic- metal free crowns” which are natural looking. This enhances the look of the smile.