What Is A Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over a tooth in order to strengthen and restore a tooth’s shape and size. When a tooth has been damaged and is unable to fully support a dental filling, a dental crown may be set. Dental crowns can either be temporary or permanent, depending on the severity of the damage. From minor to extreme cases, there are many possible reasons why one may need a dental crown.

Different Reasons for A Dental Crown

There are numerous reasons why a dental crown may be necessary. For instance, consuming sweet foods over time can cause tooth enamel to become worn down, thus further weakening the structure of a tooth and disabling it from being able to support itself. Other factors that may lead to the requirement of a dental crown include:

• Holding together parts of a broken or cracked tooth
• Covering misshapen or severely discolored teeth
• Covering a dental implant
• Holding a dental bridge in place

Taking Care of A Crown

When taking care of a dental crown, either temporary or permanent, it is important to maintain regular at home dental care. This will keep bacteria from collecting and potentially settling in or around a crown and potentially leading to further damage. Other ways you can prevent damage to a dental crown include:

• Refraining from chewing on the side of your mouth where a crown may be placed. This will relieve pressure on a tooth and allow for proper healing
• Avoiding sticky foods, such as chewing gum, caramel, etc. as these may potentially pull temporary crown off of a tooth
• Abstaining from consuming hard foods to prevent damage to a dental crown
• Exercising proper brushing and flossing techniques. When flossing, it is important to exercise a “side-flossing” technique. This a process where food particles are extracted from between teeth as opposed to pulling upwards. This will allow you to maintain proper dental health along with keeping a crown set in place.

ABOUT YOUR DALLAS, TX, FAMILY DENTISTS:

Dr. Tran, Dr. Hoang, and the friendly, welcoming staff at Gentle Smiles will do everything possible to make you feel at home. Contact us today by calling 972-329-7645 (972-329-SMILE) to experience our compassionate, effective, and individualized care. We proudly serve patients from Dallas, TX, and all surrounding communities, including Mesquite, Balch Springs, Garland, and Seagoville.