Dental Crowns: A Great Way to Protect Your Smile from Decay

Do you have a damaged or missing tooth that looks like a glaring flaw in your smile? Imperfections in the smile and tooth decay can make people feel insecure and unattractive. Besides how your smile looks, it also helps you laugh, talk, and eat. Keep reading to learn how dental crowns are used to treat tooth decay and how they can help your smile look and function better.

What Are Dental Crowns?

A dental crown is a tooth restoration that’s made to protect your healthy tooth structure. It mimics the original shape of your tooth and covers the underlying portion to prevent it from breaking. Think of dental crowns as protective caps for teeth.

Why Do I Need a Dental Crown?

Crowns are needed when your tooth is decayed to the point where a patch filling can no longer restore the tooth properly. You may need a dental crown if you have:

• Large fillings that are failing or breaking
• Fractured or broken teeth
• Severely worn teeth
• Deep or large areas of decay
• Root canals

These are some of the most common issues that get treated with dental crowns. Crowns can also help improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile. They can change the size, shape, and color of your teeth.

Can I Just Get a Filling Instead?

Yes, fillings are typically the most popular option to treat tooth decay, but you should know that they aren’t designed to recreate large portions of your tooth. The fragile pieces that remain in a heavily decayed tooth are likely to break without receiving a protective crown. This can lead to unexpected pain, more time in the dentist’s chair, and more money out of your pocket.

What Are Some Benefits of Dental Crowns?

Now that you know what dental crowns are and why they’re important, see some of the benefits they can bring to your smile:

• They strengthen teeth.
• They can restore teeth to their natural shape and size.
• They can last for many years and even decades with proper oral healthcare.
• A crown can give you more smile confidence by covering up discolored teeth.
• A crown can keep a cracked tooth together and prevent it from being extracted.

Talk to your local dentist to see what kinds of benefits dental crowns could bring you. Everyone’s mouth is different, so your dentist will be able to tell you the specific benefits you’ll see from having a crown placed.

About the Practice

Dr. Gabriel Ruiz and Dr. Jonathan Fan enjoy providing quality care for their patients in East Brunswick. They use continuing education courses as a tool to stay up-to-date on all the latest technology and techniques in dentistry. They currently practice at East Brunswick Family and Implant Dentistry where they can be contacted through their website or by phone at (732) 238-6660 for any questions.