While dental crowns are excellent restorations that last a long time, not everyone needs them. Therefore, you need to ask some questions and assess your situation before deciding on a crown.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a protective type "cap" that safeguards a tooth that had large amounts of decay, or which has recently had a root-canal performed on it. While crowns were made of gold in the past, they often are made of porcelain today to provide a more natural and aesthetically pleasing look. Crowns can be made in a day, which makes this type of restoration a convenient choice for anyone who needs a protective and aesthetic restoration quickly.
Should I Get a Dental Crown?
You do not need a dental crown if you have a medium-sized filling, that needs to be replaced. In this case, an inlay or onlay will suffice. However, if a current filling takes over third-thirds of a tooth, you should consider getting a crown. Does your tooth hurt when you bite down? If the tooth is cracked, you usually will need a crown. Does the crack travel down vertically to the gum line? If so, the placement of a crown is usually the best solution. However, the tooth should be cracked, not crazed. Therefore, only consider a crown for a serious crack. Craze lines in teeth are common and typically develop, over time, from expansion and contraction or stress. The lines will not affect the integrity of a tooth. You often can get a crazed tooth bleached or whitened and erase the lines from view.
While crowns are helpful to anyone who has a crack or deep decay, they are not always necessary. Think about your options first before deciding. If you do believe you need a crown, call our team of Prosthodontic professionals. We are more than happy to help!
Dental Blog | Wausau, WI | Wanserski Dental Center for Complex Dentistry Dr. David Wanserski, DDS, from Wanserski Dental Center for Complex Dentistry, has created this informative blog to help educate the community. Learn more. Wanserski Dental Center for Complex Dentistry, 550 N. 17th Ave. Wausau, WI 54401 • (715) 848-2435 • wanserskidental.com • 2/5/2025 • Key Phrases: dental implants Wausau WI •