Depending on your situation, you may be talking with your dentist about the possibility of getting a dental crown. A crown is a restoration piece that can be made out of a variety of materials including gold, porcelain, and porcelain-fused-to-metal. It is precisely shaped just like your tooth, and is essentially a "cap" that is cemented over the prepared tooth or atop a dental implant.
There are several circumstances in which a crown may be appropriate, since they are extremely versatile. A dental crown can be placed on top of a dental implant that has been inserted into a patient's gum and jawbone. The implant and crown replicate the look and function of a tooth that is congenitally missing, or lost from trauma, gum disease, or extraction. The crown gives the appearance of a natural tooth in its place.
Crowns are also used for protection. If a tooth has been cracked or broken, a dental crown is cemented over it to prevent further damage or breakage. Crowns are also placed on top of teeth that have large fillings or have undergone root canals, because they are weaker and more susceptible to cracking and chipping.
Dental crowns can be used as a lovely cosmetic alternative to porcelain veneers for a patient who wants to cover a tooth that is severely discolored, stained, or misshapen.
A crown (sometimes more than one crown) is also an integral part of a dental bridge. A bridge is essentially an artificial tooth fused onto crowns on the adjoining teeth to replace one that is missing or lost. The entire restoration piece is placed using the adjacent crowned teeth for support.
With such a wide variety of uses, crowns are a popular dental restoration that is done at Dr. Sood's "The Gentle Dentist," located in Jackson Heights, New York!
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