Dental crowns have been used in dentistry for thousands of years (4000 years, to be exact!) because of their ability to support an injured tooth. They are a custom dental restoration that covers your tooth above the gum line to extend your tooth’s lifespan.  

Professional-grade materials, like zirconia or porcelain, can replicate your tooth’s color and shape. The material used for your crowns will be determined by your dentist near Buffalo, MN, after a proper diagnosis. But what type of dental injury can be resolved using dental crowns? 

Types of Dental Injuries 

Dental injuries occur in many ways, but the most common are from being hit in the face, falling over, or suffering a sports-related accident. A cracked tooth needs treatment to restore its function and alleviate discomfort. 

Chipped, Cracked, or Broken Teeth 

Dental crowns are a high-quality solution for repairing a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth. A dental crown can resolve tooth injuries regardless of whether the chipped tooth occurred from an accident or was damaged by teeth grinding.

Your dentist can sometimes restore minor chips with veneers or bonding; however, significantly chipped teeth require protection with a dental crown.

The severity of the crack will determine the treatment for the tooth. When the fracture affects only the outer layer, your dentist may be able to repair it with a composite restoration. Cracks that reach the tooth’s inner layers require root canal therapy and a dental crown. 

There is often no other restorative option for a broken tooth besides a dental crown. A crown replaces the missing piece and protects the tooth against infection and additional damage. A dental crown covers the entire tooth and will strengthen the damaged tooth while maintaining its position within the mouth. 

Knocked-out Tooth 

A tooth can get knocked out in several ways. Whether you suffered a blow to the mouth or an accident that affected your face, a knocked-out tooth is a severe dental injury. Individuals who play contact sports are at a higher risk of having a tooth knocked out. 

If you can get to your dentist quickly (with the knocked-out tooth), your dentist can place your tooth into the socket and successfully re-implant it. However, it’s not always a successful procedure, and the remaining structures may need to be extracted and undergo additional treatment after healing. A dental bridge or implant can use crowns to replace your missing tooth in these cases.

A dental bridge consists of crowns that cover the two adjacent teeth, which are connected to an artificial tooth in the middle. 

Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed into your jawbone. After the implant heals, a custom crown can be placed on top of the metal post.  

Severely Decayed Teeth 

One of the most common uses for a dental crown is to restore a severely decayed tooth. A large cavity comprises the structure of your decayed tooth, making it more susceptible to breaking. Your dentist may recommend a dental crown to restore the decayed tooth and prevent additional damage.   

Root Canal 

Although a root canal is not an injury, it still causes your tooth to weaken. When a tooth becomes infected, your dentist must extract the decayed material inside. A filling is placed inside the tooth, but the nutrient supply has been eliminated. 

Over time, the tooth can become brittle and break, resulting in the need for repair. A dental crown placed after a root canal can protect the tooth from further damage. 

How a Crown Restores Your Teeth 

A dental crown can protect sensitive tissues inside your tooth, eliminate pain, and preserve natural tooth structure. This form of restorative dentistry will protect the form and function of your teeth while providing cosmetic benefits. 

Dental crowns are custom-made and will blend in seamlessly with your natural smile. It will match the surrounding teeth’s color, shape, and size. 

It’s a simple treatment that takes approximately two hours during the first visit. Your dentist will remove the damaged tissue before preparing it for your new crown. A set of digital impressions will be taken so the dental lab has the exact specifications to create your new tooth. 

You’ll receive a temporary crown while waiting for your permanent restoration to return from the lab. Approximately two weeks later, your dentist will place it over your tooth and secure it to ensure it remains in place.  

With proper home care and routine dental visits, your crown will last you many years. 

Repair Your Smile With a Custom Dental Crown 

If you’ve suffered from a dental injury, talk to your dentist about a dental crown. This custom restorative procedure is the best way to repair and protect your tooth for life. Contact Dental Care Associates of Buffalo to learn more about this and other high-quality cosmetic dental procedures.