There are many procedures used by dentists to repair one’s smile. These may range from filling existing teeth, replacing missing teeth with dental implants, or even dental crowns.
You’ve probably heard of dental crowns before, but for many they are some mysterious dental procedure, and we’ve found that many patients have an unfounded fear or resistance to crowns (and other procedures) only because they aren’t sure what they are and how they are applied.
The application of crowns and tooth bridges is extremely common. Essentially, a crown is a component used to “cap” or cover up an existing tooth that is discolored, chipped or otherwise damaged. The crown will not only cover the tooth and eliminate problems with alignment and shape, but will strengthen it as well. Crowns can also be placed on to dental implants, providing a natural looking tooth functional enough for chewing.
Dental crowns are made from a variety of materials, each with different properties. Porcelain and ceramic crowns are very common because they can be customized to match the color of your natural teeth. Crowns may also be made out of gold or even metal alloys which are stronger than porcelain but recommended only for use in the back teeth to prevent any metal from showing in your smile.
There are several scenarios when crowns are suitable, including:
- Capping a tooth with a large filling that cannot be refilled
- Covering a dental implant
- Attaching a bridge
- Covering a cracked or badly chipped tooth
- Covering a discolored tooth
If you believe that dental crowns are something that you could use, and you’re in the Greensboro area, feel free to contact Langdon & Mango, your Greensboro dental crown experts!
