Dental crowns are regularly used in dentistry. Here are a few dental applications for which a tooth crown is typically used:

Protection after a Root Canal

A root canal involves the removal of the pulp, or interior living material, from within a tooth. Once the pulp is removed, the hollow tooth is disinfected and filled. However, the filling is not sufficient to restore the structural integrity of the tooth. Therefore, the tooth needs additional fortification to withstand bite pressure. A crown provides that support.

The crown encases the entire natural crown of the tooth, so all areas of a tooth that are exposed above the gum line are covered. In addition to fortifying the tooth, the covering helps prevent the entry of oral bacteria.

Fortification after Dental Trauma

When a tooth is damaged from trauma, it may incur significant cracks or chips that compromise its strength. Even if a crack or chip appears to have only affected the appearance of the tooth, fortification is important to avoid progressive damage.

Dental crowns are made from tough materials that can withstand a large amount of pressure and fortify a tooth that has been chipped or cracked. These substances include porcelain, stainless steel, porcelain-over-metal, resin, and metal alloy. 

Covering a Tooth after a Large Cavity is Filled

If a small cavity is filled, the filling may be sufficient to restore the tooth. However, a large cavity can involve the placement of a large filling and the removal of a substantial amount of decayed tooth material. As a result, the tooth may not be as strong as it was prior to the treatment. A crown can be used to strengthen it.

Connecting a Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is held in place using dental crowns that are components of the appliance. Each conventional bridge includes one or more false replacement teeth in the center of the bridge with a dental crown on each end of the appliance. When the bridge is placed in the mouth, the dental crowns cover the teeth that border the gap that is being filled by the false teeth of the bridge. 

As with other restorations, the crowns are cemented into place and are considered permanent restorations. With most dental bridges, tooth-colored crowns are used to ensure that the bridge blends with the other teeth in the mouth. The color of the crowns can be precisely matched to that of the patient's natural teeth.

To learn more about dental crowns and how they can be used to aid in your dental treatments, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your area.