919-682-5327 While it might sound regal, a crown is essentially an artificial tooth anchored to your existing root. Most people need a crown for a tooth that has suffered a large amount of decay, damage or is in need of cosmetic repair.
Teeth with old or multiple large fillings might require replacement with crowns if the filling fails. In some cases, the cement holding large fillings in place might weaken, allowing bacteria to invade the microscopic gap between the filling and the healthy enamel. In time, the filling might fall out and there simply isn’t enough healthy enamel left to anchor a new filling.
Fractures and cracks caused by accidents or facial injuries can damage a tooth to such a degree that the original enamel simply cannot be saved. Even if the tooth is sound, the fracture might be unappealing in your smile or it can compromise the tooth’s function in chewing.
Severe tooth decay or an infected root that requires a root canal might also require a large amount of enamel to be removed. In these cases, it is simply more effective to cover the remaining healthy parts of the tooth with a crown.
A crown can be made from different materials, depending on the tooth’s location and function in the mouth. The most common materials are gold, porcelain or base metals.
If you have a tooth with fractures, a lost filling or questions about whether or not you should get a crown, please feel free to call us at 919-682-5327 to schedule an appointment.