Custom dental crowns are among the longest standing restorative dentistry options. They are also among the most versatile options and are able to address a wide variety of cosmetic, structural, and functional dental issues. A dental crown, or cap, is a replica of your tooth’s crown (its top portion) and can be placed over the tooth to restore and protect it from further damage. Because it can restore your entire tooth, a crown may be the best solution to fix a tooth that is damaged, cosmetically blemished, or lost/extracted.

Fixing a damaged tooth

When your tooth is cracked, fractured, or broken, its ability to withstand your bite’s pressure is significantly reduced. The tooth may hurt too much to bite and chew properly, or it may suffer increasingly worse damage due to the pressure. A dental crown can fix the tooth by covering its damaged and compromised structure, allowing you to once again bite and chew comfortably without suffering further tooth damage.

Improving a tooth’s appearance

Many of today’s dental crowns are not only durable, but also virtually indistinguishable from healthy, natural tooth structure. Made from lifelike porcelain, modern crowns are as esthetically pleasing as they are structurally relevant. Therefore, they are often recommended for teeth that exhibit severe cosmetic blemishes such as cracked enamel, extensive discoloration, and more.

Replacing a lost tooth

Dental crowns are an essential part of dental bridges, which “bridge” the gap in your smile after losing a tooth. They can also replace a tooth without the need for a bridge when the crown is coupled with a dental implant. The implant post is inserted into the jawbone, where the lost tooth’s root once lay, and can then be used to support your lifelike crown, creating a complete replacement for your tooth’s root and crown.

Find Out if a Dental Crown Is Right for Your Smile

As one of the more diverse restorative dentistry options, a dental crown may be able to fix and save your smile in a number of different situations. To learn more, schedule a consultation with Dr. Burds by calling Gateway Dental Group in Des Moines, IA, today at (515) 244-9565.