Good Teeth: They Don't Have to Be in Your Genes

If you visit a dentist regularly, you might be able to prevent some problems from occurring with your teeth. You might still encounter issues from time to time, though. There may come a time when your dentist tells you that you need a dental crown. Do you know what this is or why you need it? If you do not have any crowns on your teeth, you might benefit by knowing the following three things about dental crowns.

1. Reasons People Need Crowns

You might need a crown for a number of reasons. The primary reason is to strengthen a tooth that cannot stand alone. For example, if you get several cavities on the same tooth, you might not have a lot of real tooth structure left after the dentist removes the cavities. Teeth lose strength as they lose structure, and at some point, a tooth like this might need a crown. Therefore, decay is the number one reason people need crowns. You might also need one if the tooth requires a root canal procedure. There are also times when people need them after experiencing trauma to a tooth.

2. The Steps Required When Getting One

A root canal normally requires a couple of visits to the dentist. The first visit diagnoses the issue. The second visit prepares the tooth for the crown and involves getting a temporary crown. The dentist uses the final visit to remove the temporary crown and place the permanent one on the tooth. Some dentists offer crowns in just one visit, but not all dentists have this ability.

3. The Length of Time a Crown Lasts

On average, dental crowns last 10 to 15 years. The length of time your crown lasts depends on several things. The first thing is the material. Dentists can make crowns out of several material types, and some last longer than others. Secondly, the way you care for the crown also affects its durability. If you chew on hard candies all the time, it could wear the crown out faster. If you brush and floss your teeth daily and care for your crown, it will likely last at least 10 years or even longer.

Dental crowns help you save teeth that your dentist might not be able to save otherwise. If you need a crown, do not delay. You can schedule an appointment to get a crown by contacting a local dentist.