The outer covering of your teeth, the enamel, is the hardest substance in your body, including bone. At the same time, teeth are also as brittle as glass. Your teeth undergo extreme pressure day in and day out. When a tooth becomes weakened in some way, it is more susceptible to breaking or cracking under that pressure. A dental crown is a general dentistry treatment that protects a compromised tooth and adds stability.

A tooth that has a very large cavity is an example of a weakened tooth. In most situations when a tooth requires a very large filling, the dentist will recommend that the tooth is crowned to give it the strength to withstand the pressure of chewing. Root canal therapy can also weaken a tooth. Once the nerve of a tooth is removed, the tooth is essentially dead. This usually leads to the tooth being more brittle than usual and therefore subject to damage. Crowning such a tooth can protect it from harm.

Dental crowns are made from a variety of durable materials. Some are created from porcelain fused to gold alloy or another base metal. They are also made from ceramic resins – a mixture of plastic and ceramics. Occasionally, crowns will be made from stainless steel or gold alloy. Your dentist will determine the best materials for your crown and discuss the options with you.

When you have a tooth that is cracked or damaged in some way and it can be salvaged, placing a crown on it is the best way to keep further damage from occurring. The crown fits over the entire visible area of the tooth and extends slightly below the gum line. Most crowns are made to look like natural teeth, so your tooth is protected and your smile is restored to its natural beauty.

At Southern Dental Group of Munford, we take care to provide you with a crown that looks pleasing to the eye and is functional in its protection of your tooth. Contact us today for more information about how dental crowns protect weakened teeth.