Many of our patients have had crown (or crown & bridge) treatment to restore their beautiful smiles. But many of you haven’t, and we often get questions about what a crown is and why we would place one. I’m glad to take a moment today to give you a general overview and let you know why this technique is so successful, popular, and in demand.
What is a crown?
A crown is a fixed prosthetic device which simply means it’s a tooth restoration that you don’t remove – it stays permanently in your mouth to support and strengthen a tooth. It also refines its shape, alignment, color, and function. In days past, most crowns were made of gold, but now, because of their beauty, strength, and natural look, most crowns are made of porcelain. They’re so life-like, only you and your Guelph dentist – us! – know that you’re sporting one.
The most common uses for crowns include:
- Preventing a weak tooth from breaking
- Restoring a broken tooth
- Preserving & supporting a tooth that has had root canal treatment
- Supporting tooth structure when a significant portion of the tooth has been filled
- Covering severely discolored or poorly shaped teeth
- Affixing a replacement tooth as part of a bridge or by restoring a dental implant when tooth loss has occurred.
Crowns are extremely durable and function the way your own teeth do. They can be placed on incisors (biting teeth toward the front of your mouth) or molars (grinding teeth at the back of your mouth) and can last a very long time with regular thorough home care – brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day.
If you think a crown would help you eat, speak, and smile with confidence, call us today. As your Guelph restorative dentist, we will talk with you about the benefits, answer your questions, and together, decide which treatment is best for your smile.
Make your smile your crowning glory! Call us today!
Yours in excellent dental health,
Dr. Mark Lansdell, your general restorative dentist in Guelph