Dental crowns are high-quality restorations that can cover and protect single teeth. Crowns are caps that fully cover teeth. They are made of tooth-colored materials like porcelain that easily blend in with the smile. Our office provides dental crown treatment in Tampa, FL, to help patients with damaged and decayed teeth. Learn if tooth crowns are the right treatment for your needs below.
When To Use a Dental Crown in Tampa, FL
Dental crowns can be useful for many patients, particularly with missing teeth, damaged teeth, or decayed teeth. We will recommend dental crowns for patients in these situations:
- Following a Root Canal: We recommend a dental crown if you have a weakened tooth after root canal treatment. After we remove the decayed portion of your tooth, you may require more support, especially if you have a worn tooth. Crowns can create more structure.
- For a Damaged Tooth: Fractures, chips, cracks, wear, and other types of damage, especially in the molars, can create pain. Worn teeth can also create an imbalanced bite, contributing to dental problems like TMD. Covering and protecting damaged teeth can prevent further damage to teeth and create an even bite.
- To Secure Dental Implants: Crowns can cover single dental implants. Implants replace missing teeth at the root and act like natural teeth. Dental crowns ensure that implants look as natural as possible. This is because we take impressions of the teeth to create crowns and color-match them to adjacent natural teeth.
Dental crowns can address extensive damage that often creates discomfort and pain in many patients. Covering teeth with a tooth-colored crown can create a better bite and improve the smile’s appearance.
Alternatives To Dental Crowns
We may recommend these alternatives to dental crowns if you have smaller areas of damage:
Inlays and Onlays
Also known as partial crowns, inlays and onlays only cover part of the tooth. They do not entirely cover single teeth. Inlays cover the chewing surface of the tooth within the cusps or sides of the tooth. Onlays cover the top of the tooth, including the sides. Like crowns, inlays and onlays are separate pieces cemented to the tooth.
Dental Bonding
Tooth bonding is a cosmetic treatment that benefits patients with small chips, cracks, and discoloration. Patients with fractured or damaged teeth benefit from bonding, especially if their affected teeth are in the front of the mouth. During a bonding treatment, we sculpt the tooth-colored material to the tooth and harden it to create a seamless look.
If you have any questions about your restorative or cosmetic treatment options, please call 813-733-6981. You may also request a dental appointment with Dr. Rebecca Benedict on our website. Historic Hyde Park Dentistry is here to find the best treatment for your needs, budget, and goals.