There are multiple ways that dental crowns can be used. Crowns can be made of different materials, such as stainless steel, metal alloy, porcelain-over-metal, porcelain or even gold. Here are a few dental applications in which a dental crown may be used.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are prosthetic devices that replace one or more lost teeth. A traditional bridge includes a dental crown at each end of the appliance and one or more false teeth suspended between the two crowns.
The crowns of a dental bridge are usually made of porcelain or porcelain-over-metal. Porcelain offers the realistic sheen and translucency of natural tooth material. In addition, it tends to be quite durable.
As a dentist prepares to install a dental bridge, he or she debrides the teeth on which the dental crowns will rest. The crowns, which are are matched to the tooth color the patient, are cemented into place.
Root Canals
A root canal is performed to remove infected pulp and inflamed dental nerves from a tooth. The pulp is the soft living material that fills the inner chambers of a tooth. Once a tooth becomes infected, the pressure from the swollen or inflamed tissues irritates and inflames the nerves.
Much of the pain associated with an infected tooth is caused by the inflamed nerves. People who receive a root canal often experience symptoms that are uncomfortable prior to the procedure, such as a throbbing chronic toothaches, increased dental sensitivity to changes in temperature, sore, swollen areas of the gums and foul-smelling liquid leaking from areas near the infected tooth.
After a dentist removes the pulp of a tooth, he or she cleans the interior of the tooth. In addition, the tooth is filled and then covered by a dental crown. If a tooth is near the back of a patient's mouth, a stainless steel or metal alloy crown may be used since the tooth may not be visible when the patient smiles or speaks. Still, some patients may prefer a tooth-colored crown for consistency in appearance.
A Cracked or Chipped Tooth
Dental crowns may also be applied to protect cracked or chipped teeth. Without protection, a tooth that is structurally compromised may worsen as bite pressure from daily chewing is applied to it. However, a dental crown helps support the structure of the tooth and prevent the damage from worsening.
If you are interested in learning more about dental crowns, schedule a consultation with a dentist like Stephen P. Cary, DMD in your area.
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