Learn Why Dental Crowns in Boonville Save Damaged Teeth

If your dentist informed you that cavities are present in your mouth, or you’ve simply had a silver filling for a long period of time, you probably need a dental crown to protect your tooth. You may think that placing dental crowns in Boonville can be prolonged, but the fact is teeth that have fillings or fractures are at greater risk of becoming more damaged. That’s why your dentist thinks you shouldn’t take any risks.

To learn how dental crowns protect your oral health, keep reading.

Dental Crowns Pick Up Where Fillings Left Off

Fillings can help fill cavities for a certain period of time, but eventually they will need either a replacement or improvement. Silver fillings have been known to drive a wedge in between the remaining portions of teeth, causing them to break further apart as force is applied to them over time. When your dentist says you’ll need a dental crown to replace your filling, it’s always for a good reason.

In this case, it’s to salvage the remaining tooth and avoid performing an extraction. When determining the need for a crown, your dentist will examine the width of the tooth itself and compare that to the amount of filling currently inside it. If the filling takes up more than 50 percent of the width of the tooth, it means it’s very likely to break apart, causing the filling to fall out.

A Fracture Puts Your Overall Health at Risk

Whether it’s made from a filling over time or from a recent dental injury, fractures require covering in order to save your tooth and prevent an infection from developing. When teeth are fractured, it allows oral bacteria to enter the tooth and reach the vulnerable pulp inside. This is also where the nerve and blood vessels are located.

If bacteria reaches this portion, it will cause an infection to develop. In response, the body may develop an abscess, or small pocket of pus to prevent the infection from developing further, but this won’t last. To avoid infections from occurring in the first place, you need to protect the fracture from oral bacteria through a dental crown.

Improving Your Smile’s Overall Appearance

Finally, dental crowns are also used to maintain your smile’s naturally white appearance. In the past, silver or gold crowns were used because of their durability. However, their color stood out dramatically next to healthy teeth.

Once all-porcelain crowns became more common, dentists realized they could restore the health and functionality of teeth, without sacrificing the appearance of their patients’ smiles. While cosmetics aren’t the highest priority, it’s worth exploring, especially when treating a tooth visible in your smile.

When it comes to protecting your natural teeth, you don’t want to pass up on dental crowns. Restore your natural teeth by scheduling an appointment with your dentist in Boonville today!

About the Author

Dr. Joseph T. Kelly earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. Thanks to his training, he’s able to provide patients advanced functional and cosmetic options, including dental crowns in Boonville. To learn more about his practice, contact him through his website.