This month’s topic is the Famous or Infamous Dental Crown (also known as a Cap).
BY Kenneth W. Arida, DDS
Company:
Dentistry by Dr. Arida
Location:
131 S. Euclid Ave, Westfield NJ
Phone: 908-654-6262
There are several reasons that a dentist might suggest that your tooth needs a crown. A crown is a very good and effective way to protect a weak tooth from breaking and cracking under normal chewing. When you are young you may need a filling to remove decay, the tooth may have more decay over decades and wind up with a very large filling. As the filling gets larger the amount of tooth structure that is left is less and less making it weaker and weaker. A weak tooth can have a bad fracture or crack that can actually cause the tooth to be lost. One very common situation is a tooth that has had a root canal. Most root canal teeth have had large fillings and are weak. The root canal can add to its structural weakness and it is very important to crown a root canal tooth soon after the root canal is complete so the tooth does not break and require extraction. The crown is like a “helmet” that you cover the tooth with and it protects it from breaking apart. It is very important to protect teeth from breakdown or you will wind up with a number of missing teeth in your old age. We can expect to live much longer than our parents and it is important to be proactive in protecting your teeth so they stay strong and useful as long as you need them.
Crowns have also been known to be used for a “smile makeover” for many decades. Dentists can use crowns and veneers to make your teeth and smile look AMAZING! The power of improving someone’s smile NEVER GETS OLD! It is a wonderful part of being a dentist to make someone so happy with their new smile. For patients that are in need of a more extensive oral rehabilitation crowns and bridges are used to reconstruct a patients bite, missing teeth and smile all at once.
Are there any new advances with crowns?
Yes, in years past when you had a crown made you may see a grey line near the gum line because the crown was made of a metal understructure with porcelain over the metal but the metal would show through and sometimes take away from the appearance of the crown. Modern dentistry offers a crown that is metal free and has a much more natural appearance. It is a very strong porcelain that looks very natural. No more metal undercoat.
Are Crowns covered by insurance?
Most often any dental insurance will pay a share of the cost of the crown.
In conclusion, if you are told that your tooth needs a crown, get it done in a timely manner. If you wait too long and the tooth breaks and is lost it is a terrible shame. To replace the tooth with an implant will need several surgeries and much more cost than simply crowning the tooth on a timely basis. It’s much better to take care of your teeth and protect those that are weak and vulnerable. “Ignore your teeth and they will GO AWAY!” Happy New Year Everyone!
BY KENNETH W. ARIDA, DDS Company: Dentistry by Dr. Arida Location: 131 S. Euclid Ave, Westfield NJ Phone: 908-654-6262
Dr. Arida is widely considered to be one the best dentists in the local area and we are lucky to have his columns to learn more about dental health. For more information, please visit www.drarida.com or call 908-654-6262. The practice is located conveniently at 131 S. Euclid Ave, Westfield NJ.
Check him out on social media: www.facebook. com/kennethwaridadds; @dr_arida on Instagram