
Jan
Dental crowns are one of the most popular restorative treatments available. A dental crown will cover and protect the tooth if your tooth is weakened due to decay, a root canal, or other dental health issues. At Montclair Dental Care in Oakland, California, Dr. Kenneth Childers offers porcelain dental crowns to patients that are strong, durable, and long-lasting. In many cases, a filling may not be enough to save your tooth. Here are some situations where a crown may be your best option.
A filling can fail for many reasons. In some instances, it can break. In others, it may come loose due to recurring tooth decay after it has been placed. You can usually elect to receive a replacement filling, but it could lead to a weakening of the tooth structure, in which case it may keep falling out. You may be better off choosing a dental crown instead.
The tooth’s structure can become compromised if too much of it has to be removed due to decay. This can be the issue when you either have multiple cavities in the same tooth or one very large cavity. When this happens, preparing the tooth for a filling could result in the tooth cracking. When decay is significant, it could put you at higher risk of the inner pulp becoming infected, requiring a root canal. A dental crown can protect your tooth better in these situations than getting a filling.
A root canal may be necessary when a tooth becomes severely infected or has been compromised by significant decay. When the inner tooth becomes infected, a hole will need to be drilled so that the infected pulp can be removed and the inner chamber of the tooth disinfected before it is sealed again. Once this work is done, it leaves the tooth severely weakened. Placing a dental crown provides a stronger, more permanent restorative option than getting a filling put in place.
To learn more about dental crowns, please contact our office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Childers. We can be reached at (510) 328-7792.