Have you ever been to the dental office and the dentist says, “I recommend a crown (cap) for this tooth”? Why does a tooth need a crown? Can’t the tooth survive without a crown because it doesn’t hurt? The truth is your tooth can survive for a little while without the crown, but you never know when it might be too late. If it bothers you, it’s too late.
A dental crown has several benefits in protecting the tooth; one of the main reasons for a dental crown is to protect the integrity of compromised tooth/teeth. Some additional reasons are:
- One, crowns are recommended when there are cracks or chips within the tooth structure. Cracks and chips are not always visible externally and may also exist internally.
- Two, crowns are recommended when there is less than 50% of tooth structure missing. Missing tooth structure can be either in the form of decay and/or filling material.
- Three, after a tooth has had a root canal, it usually becomes more brittle and is at a higher risk or breakage (mostly back teeth as there are a lot of biting forces on our back teeth).
- Four, some people just don’t like the look, shape, color, or spacing of their teeth and they are looking to achieve a better look.
Multiple types of crowns are available for your teeth. Please ask us which one would work best for you, your mouth, and your aesthetic preferences.
Many people are also concerned about the dental crown cost, and if you are concerned, please contact our office for pricing details. We have financial options that should be able to fit you. If you have any questions or concerns about dental crowns, please feel free to contact us.
Jerame Hafen, DDS