Dental Crowns Restore Beauty and Function to Damaged Teeth

Your smile doesn't have to change forever if you happen to damage a tooth—dental crowns, offered by your Arlington, VA, dentist, Dr. Bruce Hanley, provide a simple way to protect your tooth and improve its appearance. Read on to learn more!

What are dental crowns?

Crowns fit over the part of teeth that appear above the gum line. Although the restorations are hollow, your Arlington dentist will need to reduce the size of your tooth before you receive a crown. Reducing the tooth will ensure that the crown fits comfortably and looks natural.

Crowns are attached to teeth with dental cement and are available in many common tooth-colored shades. They are made of durable materials that closely resemble tooth enamel, including porcelain, ceramic and resin.

When are dental crowns recommended?

Teeth may be tough, but they're not invincible. A fall or blow to the face can break a tooth, painfully exposing the pulp that's inside. Dental crowns restore the full width and height of your tooth, cover the exposed ends, and make chewing easy once again.

Crowns may also be needed if you have a crack in a tooth. Cracks alter the structural integrity of teeth, making them prone to fractures and breaks. Protecting cracked teeth with crowns also prevents bacteria from entering them. Once inside teeth, bacteria can cause cavities or infections. Fortunately, adding a crown will help you reduce the risk of tooth decay or painful infections.

Have you recently had a root canal? Although removing that dental pulp helped you avoid tooth loss, it also weakened your overall tooth structure. Accordingly, your dentist may recommend strengthening your tooth with a crown after a root canal, particularly if the therapy was performed on a pre-molar or molar.

Cosmetic issues with teeth can also be improved with crowns. They're a good choice if you have a discolored tooth or want to improve the way a crooked, twisted or oddly shaped tooth looks.

Interested? Give us a call

Transform your smile with dental crowns! Call your Arlington, VA, dentist, Dr. Bruce Hanley, at (703) 524-7100 to schedule an appointment.