3 Reasons You Might Need a Dental Crown

A beautiful, healthy smile is important to pretty much everyone. In fact, 99.7% of all adults surveyed by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry reported that having a healthy smile is socially important. But tooth pain and damage can certainly keep your smile from looking its very best.

Fortunately, your local dentist can help restore the health and appearance of your teeth, restoring that special glow that comes from a genuine smile. To do that, your dentist may suggest that crown fillings are needed in certain situations. But why exactly might crowns be needed? We’ll take a look at three of the most common reasons dental crowns are installed below.

1. You’re getting a root canal
   If the nerve of a tooth becomes infected, the tooth will require a root canal. Your tooth will be hollowed out during the process. This makes the tooth more vulnerable to cracking. In the majority of cases, your dentist will need to restore those teeth with crown fillings to keep it from fracturing. Crowns and caps provide more protection and strength, so they’re typically recommended to prevent further damage.
2. You’ve had a large cavity
   If you’ve had a particularly large cavity that requires a more substantial filling, it will usually need to be covered with a crown. This is due to the fact that the remaining part of the tooth — in these cases, half of its original width or less — will be very weak and prone to additional damage. In addition, older or larger fillings may need to be replaced with crowns at some point, especially if those teeth show signs of stress.
3. You have a deep crack or painful fractures
   Patients with cracked teeth don’t always require crown fillings. However, if the crack is particularly deep or particularly painful, crown fillings are often recommended to protect the root from irreparable damage. There’s also a condition, referred to as cracked tooth syndrome, caused by stress fracture lines. It has many causes (we’re looking at you, tooth grinders), but it will be very painful when the patient chews a certain way. This can put additional stress on those fracture lines, which can cause even more damage. Crowns will not only help distribute this stress more evenly, but also help eliminate pain and provide protection.

If you’re experiencing dental pain or just want to improve the overall look of your smile, the staff at Loudoun Dental Associates is here to help. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us today.