How do Crowns Work?

Your smile is one of your most important assets, and protecting it is key to having it last a lifetime. When a tooth is chipped, cracked, or otherwise weakened, porcelain crowns are often one of the first considerations for patients who need to ensure the protection of their natural teeth.

Dental crowns are porcelain “caps” that are created to bond over the top of a natural tooth. They are made by an out-of-office laboratory and are created to match the current shade and look of their teeth. This helps with the cosmetic and aesthetic look and appearance of the protected tooth. Dental crowns are often made of porcelain materials because porcelain is strong and mimics the appearance of natural tooth enamel. Special care is taken to ensure the dental crown looks natural and unnoticeable in a patient’s mouth.

When a tooth is weakened, it is prone to cracking and breaking. This can ultimately result in a required extraction if it is damaged beyond the point of healing or protection. Teeth will require a dental crown in situations in which there is breakage or a weakening of the tooth’s structure. Similar to the way a thimble helps protect a finger during sewing, dental crowns can help protect natural teeth from breakage during chewing and biting. The teeth in the back of the mouth often benefit from dental crowns, because chewing forces near the rear of the mouth are often very strong and can result in damage to weakened tooth structures. Crowns are recommended to patients who undergo root canals, as the tooth is weakened due to lack of dental pulp, nerves, and blood supply. When this happens, breakage is inevitable without the protection of a dental crown.

Dr. Foncea of Sequoyah Dental Arts in Knoxville can discuss when a patient should consider the installation of a dental crown. Whether you have a damaged tooth or a weakened tooth, a porcelain crown may be the best way to save the natural tooth from damage and extraction. Call today to schedule a consultation and learn more about the advantages of dental crowns and other porcelain restorations.

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