Should you encounter any issues with your teeth, a trip to the dentist should be your first port of call. After all, if you don’t respond to the pain or discomfort, the state of your teeth will only worsen over time. One way that we often treat disfigured or damaged teeth is by adding a dental crown to the affected tooth. But how do you know if you need a dental crown? Let’s find out.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that a dentist can add to your tooth. For many patients, it’s a viable way of increasing the life of a tooth and staving off the threat of tooth decay. After it is cemented into place on your tooth, a dental crown restores the shape, size, and strength of your pearly whites, and it’s an extremely common procedure. But how do you know if a dental crown is necessary?
Why is a dental crown necessary?
There are lots of reasons why you might need a dental crown, including:
- You are suffering from tooth decay, and your dentist has identified one or several teeth that are particularly weak. A crown can prevent the teeth from breaking and can stabilise them if they are showing cracks.
- To restore a tooth that has been severely worn down or broken as a result of an accident.
- To provide additional support to a large filling, where there is very little natural tooth remaining.
- To cover a dental implant or to hold a dental bridge in place.
- To protect a tooth that has been treated with a root canal, or perhaps even to cover and improve the appearance of severely misshapen or discoloured teeth.
In other words, you might need a dental crown for lots of different reasons, and your dentist will advise you on the best course of treatment for your current circumstances.
What does dental crown treatment involve?
At London City Smiles, our dentists are perfectly positioned to assist you with all aspects of your dental health. During your initial appointment, we will consider the treatment options available and ascertain whether or not a crown is required. If your tooth is severely damaged, we may need to prepare the tooth with a filling before it can support a crown. We will then make an impression so an extract crown can be fitted at a future appointment. In the meantime, we will fit a temporary crown until your bespoke impression is ready. We apply the crown to your tooth using dental adhesive. We follow this up by using a specialised light that cements the crown in place. Although it may take a little getting used to, your new crown will soon help you feel much more confident and comfortable.
If you have an issue with your teeth or are looking for a new dentist, we’d be delighted to welcome you to London City Smiles. Call us today on 020 7837 2300 to ask any questions about our dental crown treatment or schedule an appointment online to visit one of our dentists.
