Are Dental Crowns Cosmetic or Critical?

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Dental crowns are a kind of prosthetic cap that dentists use to improve the structure of your mouth, and the term can be used to refer to any number of materials. For some people, a crown is a full tooth used during an implant procedure or for a bridge procedure. It’s a full replacement fashioned to fill out the rest of your mouth, so everything from the color to the texture matches.

For other people, a crown in Woodbury, MN is a partial structure that fits over a damaged tooth in order to strengthen it. When it can be used for so many purposes, it’s easy to ask whether it’s a cosmetic or critical procedure.

Necessary Vs. Aesthetic

Crowns can be both cosmetic or necessary. For instance, they’re often used after a patient has a root canal. During that procedure, the dentist will need to clear out the soft pulp of the tooth. If they didn’t have a way to rebuild the tooth with a prosthetic, the tooth would be too weak to handle standard wear and tear.

Or you might see crowns used if a tooth has broken into two. Rather than pull the tooth, which is usually considered the last resort, the dentist will try to preserve the stability of the mouth with a crown.

If you need one for cosmetic purposes, it may be because you want to fix the coloring or shape of a tooth. If this is the case, you should talk to a dentist about whether a crown or a veneer makes more sense. With a veneer, you’re getting a very thin covering to put over the tooth that can be used to fix the shape or the whiteness of your smile.

Talk to a Dentist in Woodbury

People often ask about the necessity of a crown not just because they want to know how it will be labeled for insurance, but because they want to know how it will affect their oral health. The truth is that all dentistry in Woodbury, MN can help you improve your oral hygiene, even if only to help you take more interest in your teeth and gums. At Woodlane Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we can help you pinpoint the services you need to protect yourself.

Crown Vs. Bridge Vs. Implant: Which One is Right For You?   

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You’ve probably heard about dental crowns, dental bridges and dental implants – but do you know the difference? These important dental tools can help you fill a gap in your teeth and maintain good oral hygiene. As your dentist in Woodbury MN, we can help you understand the difference between crowns, bridges and implants – and we can help you determine which type of dental appliance is right for you.

What’s a Crown?

A crown is like a thin cap that’s placed over the entire tooth to protect it. Crowns are used to reinforce a tooth that has been weakened or damaged, whether by a crack, chip or a root canal. Crowns are typically shaped just like the original tooth, and some crowns (non-metallic crowns) are even colored to match the other teeth in the mouth. Crowns can be made from a variety of materials including metal, ceramic or resin.

You should get a crown if your tooth is damaged but is not being extracted. Crowns are only used if the tooth is in place – they are not used to fill a gap where there is no more tooth.

What’s a Bridge?

A bridge is an artificial tooth that uses a crown fitted over the adjacent teeth to hold the bridge in place. Bridges are used to help you maintain a functional bite and to prevent the remaining teeth from shifting out of place when one tooth is missing.

Your dentist may recommend a bridge in the event that you lose a permanent tooth.

What’s an Implant?

An implant is a prosthetic tooth that is inserted into (and fused to) the jaw, just like a real tooth. Implants look like real teeth, function like real teeth, and are virtually indistinguishable from real teeth in nearly every way. Implants are an excellent option for anyone who is missing a permanent tooth and who would like to restore their smile to its previous state.

Do you have a missing tooth or a tooth that’s been weakened by damage? If so, contact Woodlane Family and Cosmetic Dentistry for information about our cosmetic dentistry services in Woodbury MN. In your appointment, we can make a diagnosis and recommendation for treatment. Call today.