Restore Your Smile
If you have injured a tooth or you have a cavity, your tooth is compromised and requires dental treatment. When teeth are damaged, either due to decay or dental trauma, your overall oral health can be affected.
If left untreated, a damaged tooth can result in pain, infection, trouble chewing and speaking, bite misalignment, gum disease, further decay, and even tooth shifting. Additionally, if you’ve broken a front tooth, chances are the damage will impact the beauty of your smile and make you feel self conscious.
Sometimes, all you need to repair a tooth is a dental bond or cavity filling. However, other times your tooth requires a more durable restoration in order to fully repair the damage and protect it from further injury. In this case, your dentist will typically opt for a dental crown.
What are Dental Crowns Used to Treat?
Dental crowns are used to treat a variety of conditions, some of which include:
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Failed dental restorations (such as chipped or cracked fillings)
- Large cavities
- Teeth that are disproportionate in size compared to surrounding teeth
Dental crowns are also used in implant dentistry to help restore patient smiles. Dental implants in Palos Heights are applied when patients have one or more missing teeth, or severely damaged teeth that require extraction. Crowns may also be used to anchor a dental bridge and in root canal treatment.
How to Care for Your Dental Crown
If you have recently received a dental crown, you’re probably wondering how you can protect it and make sure it lasts as long as possible. Fortunately, dental crowns are extremely durable, which means caring for them is easy.
It’s important to protect your crown by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Pay special attention to the crown itself and the teeth and gum tissue surrounding it.
Additionally, try to avoid habits and certain foods that could cause damage to the crown, such as chewing on toothpicks or eating hard candy or ice. Very hard, sticky, or crunchy foods are best avoided when possible since these can potentially chip or loosen your crown.
If you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding) or a TMJ disorder, you should talk to your dentist about a custom mouthguard or other treatment options.
Finally, make sure you visit your family dentist in Palos Heights for regular exams and teeth cleanings, as this will ensure your natural teeth and restorations remain in good health.
With proper care, your crown can last 10 years or longer. If you’re interested in learning more about how to take proper care of dental crowns or other dental restorations, contact us at Oak Lawn Smiles Family Dentistry today.
Contact Us to Schedule an Appointment
If you have injured a tooth or think you may have a cavity, contact the dental professionals at Oak Lawn Smiles Family Dentistry today. With our extensive experience, we’ll help restore your smile’s function and beauty through advanced restorative and cosmetic dentistry in Palos Heights, IL.
Call us at (708) 424-2150 to schedule an appointment!
