When Dental Crowns Are Needed

When Dental Crowns Are Needed

Dental Crowns and BridgesDental crowns can help you maintain a full, healthy smile. Batavia, IL, dentists Drs. Laura and Andrew Elliff offer dental crowns and other treatments and services that help improve your family's oral health.

What are crowns?

Crowns, also called caps, completely cover damaged, fragile or unattractive teeth. The restorations are hollow inside, allowing them to slide over teeth that have first been reduced in size. Crowns must stand up to intense biting forces every day, making durability a must. They're constructed of strong materials that closely resemble natural tooth enamel, such as porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, ceramic or resin.

At your first crown appointment, your dentist will reduce the size of your tooth and make an impression of your mouth. You'll wear a temporary crown for about two weeks. At your next appointment, your permanent crown will be adjusted, then cemented to your tooth.

Your Batavia dentist may recommend a crown in any of these situations:

  • You've fractured a tooth: Fractures can occur due to vehicular accidents, falls, blows to the mouth or cracks in teeth. Although fractures are unsightly, appearance isn't the only concern if you've broken a tooth. Pain and difficulty eating often occur after you've fractured your tooth. Luckily, crowns restore the normal height, width and shape of your teeth.
  • Your tooth is fragile: Fragile teeth are more likely to fracture unless they receive crowns. Teeth can become fragile due to cracks that weaken their structure, root canal therapy or large fillings. In some cases, crowns may be needed because your teeth have become brittle with age. Crowns absorb biting forces, preventing fragile teeth from breaking.
  • Your tooth is too short: Grinding your teeth can shorten teeth, but short teeth can also occur naturally. Shorter teeth can affect both your bite and your appearance. Fortunately, crowns offer a simple way to lengthen the teeth.
  • You don't like the way a tooth looks: Crowns hide discolorations and can completely change the appearance of your teeth. They're an excellent choice if you feel self-conscious about a pointed, crooked or oddly shaped tooth.
  • You lost a tooth: Bridges, restorations that consist of one or more artificial teeth connected to crowns, can fill in the gaps if you've experienced tooth loss.

Could a crown improve your smile? Call Batavia, IL, dentists Drs. Laura and Andrew Elliff at (630) 482-7200 to schedule your appointment.