Let’s face it: It’s easy to take our teeth for granted. We go about our daily lives generally eating whatever we want and don’t give our hard-working teeth a second thought. But when there’s a problem, we quickly realize just how valuable our teeth are! If you’ve ever been faced with losing teeth due to large cavities or fractures, you’ve probably been thankful that they can be restored with dental crowns in Hiram. But how exactly do they benefit you and what should you do if a crown breaks? We’ll address each of those topics below, so keep reading to learn more!
What Are the Benefits of a Dental Crown?
The main benefit of a crown is that it restores the strength, function and appearance of a tooth that’s been severely damaged by a cavity or fracture.
Crowns are also placed on teeth that have had root canals because these teeth have lost their blood supply and can become weak and brittle.
More specifically, dental crowns are perfect for all of the following situations:
- You have extensive wear or fractures from clenching or grinding.
- There’s been trauma or injury to the teeth.
- You’ve cracked a tooth after biting down on something hard.
- You have a large cavity or existing filling that has destroyed most of the tooth structure.
Crowns can be made of a variety of materials, including gold, porcelain and zirconia. Each of these materials is quite strong and each one offers a different set of advantages.
If you need a new or replacement crown, your dentist in Hiram will recommend the appropriate material based on your unique situation.
What Should You Do if a Crown Chips or Breaks?
Even though crowns are incredibly strong, they’re not indestructible! They’re subject to the same wear-and-tear as normal teeth, so if you’ve had a crown for many years or decades, it may be more likely to chip than a brand new one.
Here’s what to do if a crown has chipped:
- Call your dentist immediately. In addition to scheduling the first available appointment, they’ll be able to walk you through any specific instructions that apply to your situation.
- If your crown is loose you might be at risk of swallowing it. In this case, gently remove it, rinse it in water and store it in a plastic bag until your appointment.
- If you have a jagged edge and can’t be seen immediately, you can get dental cement from the drugstore to cover any rough areas.
If a chip is quite small, your dentist may be able to repair it with a small filling. If a cavity has developed underneath the crown or a large piece of it has broken off, you may need a new crown.
Hopefully, you’ll never find yourself in the situation of having a broken crown, but if you do, rest assured that you’ll know how to take care of it!
About the Author
Dr. Jack Bickford and Dr. Bobby Shirley are general and restorative dentists in Hiram who understand how alarming it is when dental work breaks. Their mission is to provide comprehensive dental care for the whole family so that you’ll be taken care of in every situation. If you have any questions, they can be reached through their website or at (770) 445-6606.
