Your teeth work hard every day, but sometimes they need extra protection to stay healthy and strong. Dental crowns can save damaged teeth and prevent more severe problems in the future. Knowing when you might need one helps you act quickly before small issues become bigger, more painful problems. An expert dentist in Encino can assess your situation and recommend the most suitable treatment for your specific needs. This guide covers the most common signs that it might be time for a dental crown.
Tooth Fracture or Cracks
A cracked or fractured tooth needs immediate care. These breaks can happen from grinding your teeth at night, biting down on something hard, or from an accident. Even small cracks can allow bacteria to enter your tooth, leading to infection and pain. A crown wraps around your damaged tooth like a protective cap, holding everything together and preventing more damage. Getting treatment quickly means you can save your natural tooth instead of needing something more complicated later.
Extensive Tooth Decay
When tooth decay spreads and damages a large part of your tooth, a simple filling might not be enough anymore. Deep decay weakens your tooth from the inside out, making it fragile and prone to breaking. A crown covers the entire visible part of your tooth, restoring its strength to function normally again. Without treatment, the decay will continue spreading and could cause serious pain or even tooth loss. Regular dental visits help catch decay early, before it reaches this stage.
Large Fillings Need Replacement
Old, large fillings don’t last forever. Over time, they can wear down, crack, or pull away from your tooth, leaving gaps where bacteria can sneak in. When too much of your tooth is filling and not enough is natural tooth structure, the whole thing becomes weak. Replacing a worn-out filling with a crown protects the remaining natural tooth and prevents new decay from forming. During regular checkups, your dentist will inspect your old fillings to determine if they need replacement.
Root Canal Treatment
After a root canal, your tooth becomes more fragile because the procedure removes the inner pulp that previously nourished it. A crown protects this weakened tooth from breaking during normal chewing and biting. Signs you might need a root canal include severe toothache, pain when drinking hot or cold beverages, swollen gums, or a bump on your gum. If the infection spreads untreated, you may lose the tooth completely. Getting both the root canal and crown together saves your tooth and stops the pain.
Cosmetic Improvement
Sometimes teeth look fine, but could look better. Crowns can fix teeth that are discolored, oddly shaped, or slightly crooked. They match your natural teeth perfectly, so nobody will know you have one. Many people choose crowns to enhance their smile and boost their confidence. A well-placed crown can completely change how you feel about smiling in photos or meeting new people.
Tooth Weakness or Structural Damage
Teeth can become weak from decay, large fillings, or cracks that compromise their structure. A weak tooth is at risk of breaking completely, especially when you’re eating. Crowns provide these vulnerable teeth with the support they need to withstand everyday pressure from chewing and biting. The sooner you get a crown on a weakened tooth, the better your chances of keeping it for life. Consult your dentist if you experience sensitivity, pain, or visible damage to any of your teeth.
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