If we consider the question above – whether you are a candidate for dental crowns – we can only give one truly accurate answer. What is that answer? Essentially, it is that almost anyone is a good candidate for this restorative dentistry treatment. This is because a dental crown can be put to use for such a diversity of issues. At Maniscalco Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Birmingham, AL, we have given our patients crowns for damaged teeth, for teeth with large fillings, as part of an implant, to finish a root canal, and even as a cosmetic option.
Working as your dentist in Birmingham, we will offer you a dental crown as a form of restorative dentistry, but it can also be part of a smile makeover too. To understand all of this, let’s consider just what a crown is and does.
Dental Crowns and Your Restorative Dentist
A dental crown is not precisely a “crown” in the classic sense. It is not a ring of metal, but is more like a sheath or cap. It is bonded to the remaining area of a natural tooth, covering it and ensuring no further decay or damage occurs. Crowns are made of rugged materials because they have to provide the same amount of strength and durability as a natural tooth.
A candidate for dental crowns is someone with a tooth that has been compromised. For example, there are many reasons that the interior structure of the tooth may be weakened. Patients with old amalgam fillings or overly large cavities need crowns. Patients who have had facial trauma and broken larger teeth tend to need crowns, and when a patient has a root canal, they are also often a candidate for dental crowns.
The reason that a restorative dentist so often recommends them is that they do provide many solutions, but more important is the fact that they restore the tooth to full function. With a dental crown, you can chew and speak like before, and yet you also get to retain the natural tooth. This is a huge benefit as it also maintains the health and strength of the jaw and gum tissue.