North Dallas Dental Crowns
At times a patient may have a tooth that has broken or fractured whereby there is not enough tooth structure remaining to place a filling. If there is insufficient tooth structure for a filling to stay “anchored” to a tooth, a dental crown is an excellent option.
Another common use of a North Dallas dental crown is after a root canal procedure on a tooth. After a root canal procedure, a tooth may become “brittle” or is in need of re-building due to decay or other problems with the tooth. By placing a dental crown on a root canal tooth, the tooth is reinforced and strengthen by having a protective covering over the tooth. Therefore, when biting or chewing, the tooth is covered and protected by the crown. The underlying tooth is protected and less prone to fracture or breakage. (Keep in mind that if your tooth already has a dental crown prior to the root canal, it may not need a new crown. If the existing dental crown is adequate and free from decay or problems, a filling may be placed over the hole that was created to do the root canal.)
Most all posterior or back teeth are covered with crowns after root canals to protect them from breakage. Anterior or front teeth may or may not at times require crowns. Front teeth may need crowns to not only strengthen them but to make esthetic improvements to the patients smile.
Dental crowns are also used to strengthen unbroken and “whole” teeth that may have very large fillings already present within the tooth. Teeth that have existing large silver fillings or composite/”tooth-colored” fillings have a high probability of breakage which may necessitate the need for an extraction of the tooth. Although a tooth may have a large filling, the remaining natural tooth structure or enamel may be weak which will make a tooth more prone to fracture or breakage. Remember, a tooth when it breaks may fracture into the root of the tooth which may make the tooth hopeless to repair or place a crown. Therefore, that tooth would need an extraction. All attempts are typically made to restore and repair a tooth but at times the tooth is “non-fixable” and an extraction would be needed.
Old dental crowns may need to be replaced if there are problems with the existing or older crown. If there is decay around the neck or margin of the crown, a new crown may be needed. If the older crown is broken or if a hole has been worn through the metal of the crown, a new crown may be needed.
In summary, several different purposes of dental crowns have been described. There are many different reasons that a crown may be need or a new crown place on a tooth. Only a dentist can diagnose and determine if a new crown is needed. A clinical examination if necessary with an x-ray of the tooth to determine the best course of treatment.
Dr. William H. Miller, a dentist in Dallas TX, is able to help determine whether or not your tooth would need a crown.
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