The last thing you want to hear at a dental visit is “You need a dental crown.” However, not getting a dental crown only allows the natural tooth to continue cracking and can eventually require extracting if the pulp becomes exposed. The good news is that a dental crown in San Antonio can be made to blend in perfectly with your smile and you can keep your natural tooth intact. That’s definitely better than having it extracted and needing an implant later!
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits!
Your Natural Tooth and Root Are Protected
Once a tooth has become significantly decayed, it’s exposed to the hundreds of types of bacteria that live in your mouth at any given time. Eventually, that bacteria can reach the center of your tooth and cause an infection, meaning you’ll need to have a root canal and crown placed anyway. Instead of allowing for an emergency to occur, you can stay proactive and protect your teeth right away.
Additionally, the root that sends blood to the tooth and pulp is also protected by the crown. Without a healthy root, the tooth itself will not last and eventually die, forcing it to be extracted anyway. Protecting these crucial structures is a dentist’s number one priority.
They Can Easily Blend in With Your Smile
In the past, dentists would mainly use silver or gold crowns to cover broken teeth, but now there are more aesthetic options that look better without sacrificing their effectiveness. By creating a crown that’s all-porcelain, a dentist can custom-shade it to blend in exactly with the rest of your teeth. Porcelain is very effective at sealing the damaged area away from bacteria, while still giving you the confidence to smile!
You Get a Long-Lasting Solution
On average, dental crowns last between 10 and 15 years. However, with the proper care, you can make it last even longer. As long as you practice proper at-home care, avoid using your teeth for tasks better suited for a tool, and visit your dentist regularly, you can make your new crown last much longer than the average time. Keep in mind that dental fillings are not comparable to crowns due to the size of the damage. However, extractions are always considered the last resort. Think of crowns as a compromise between the two.
Your Bite is Kept Even
When teeth are damaged or missing, it causes your bite to become uneven, increasing the chances of having jaw pain or other bite problems later. Furthermore, neighboring teeth will begin to over-erupt, making your bite even more misaligned. A crown stops this phenomenon from happening before it can cause any damage.
Have more questions about receiving your new dental crown? Schedule an appointment with a dentist in San Antonio!
About the Author
Dr. Racha W. Kadamani earned her DDS degree from the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. She always serves patients on an individual basis and never resorts to a one-size-fits-all solution to dentistry. To learn more about receiving your customized crown, you can contact her through her website.