Crowning (or Capping) Compromised Teeth
Under certain circumstances, the best way to restore and/or improve your tooth is to completely cap it with a custom-designed dental crown. As the name suggests, dental crowns are designed to completely cover a tooth’s top visible portion (also called the crown), and can be used to restore and save a tooth that has become seriously compromised. Because it caps the tooth, a dental crown can effectively restore your bite’s full function, while protecting your tooth from suffering further damage under the pressure of it. Every dental crown we place is highly customized to precisely match the size, shape, and contour of your healthy, natural tooth.
Why cap a tooth?
Not every compromised tooth requires a full dental crown to restore it. For instance, some cases of chipped or lightly cracked teeth may be restored more conservatively with cosmetic tooth bonding or contouring. However, there are many cases when capping your tooth’s entire crown is the preferable option, such as when:
- A tooth is significantly cracked
- A piece has broken off of your tooth
- Your just completed root canal therapy
- A tooth is significantly worn down
- You need to replace a tooth with a dental implant
- And more
Different kinds of dental crowns
To ensure optimal results for your tooth restoration, we can design dental crowns from a variety of a materials, such as metal, porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), or zirconia. Metal and PFM crowns may be appropriate for molars and premolars, due to the extensive amount of bite pressure that they’re exposed to. For more cosmetically pleasing results, we can also design your crown to closely mimic the healthy, natural appearance of your tooth. Porcelain and zirconia are highly durable, and can be tinted and layered to match the specific color, shade, and brightness of your tooth.
Learn what kind of crown you need
Today’s dental crowns can address a wide variety of cosmetic and restorative concerns, depending on your unique smile needs and preferences. To learn more, schedule a consultation at Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry in Houston, TX, today by calling (281) 974-4494.