Dental Crowns West Mi Dentists

There are multiple instances in which our West MI dentists will recommend that you receive a dental crown. However, the placement of a crown isn’t always necessary and other methods may prove to work better given your specific needs. So when can you likely expect the dental crown procedure?

Here’s what you need to know about dental crowns and 4 situations where our team of dentists may make the decision to place one.

Purpose of a Crown

Dental crowns are primarily designed to protect a natural tooth that’s located underneath. Think of them like a helmet for your tooth. Of course, there is also the added benefit that crowns aesthetically look nice and seamlessly blend in with a patient’s smile.

A form of permanent dental restoration, crowns will firmly stay put once cemented in place by our dentists. The most popular type of crowns are made of tooth-colored porcelain or ceramic, though pediatric dentists often use stainless steel crowns for children.

A Dental Crown Can Help if You Have:

A Broken or Cracked Tooth

Teeth that have broken or suffered damage of any kind are at risk for decay and infection. If the tooth is cracked, pieces of it may even have trouble staying together. Fortunately, our dentists can use a dental crown to help strengthen your tooth in either situation.

With a protective crown on top, your tooth can be restored and function like normal. You’ll need to care for the new crown much like your actual teeth. This means avoiding breakage when possible. No chewing on ice, hard candies, or using your teeth as tools.

Tooth Decay Too Large for a Filling

Sometimes a cavity is large enough that a tooth-colored filling alone won’t work. When this happens, our dentists will instead place a crown after the decay has been taken out and the tooth is cleaned.

Much like a composite resin filling, a dental crown is made to match the shade of your natural enamel. This makes it difficult for others to spot your restoration when you smile, speak, or laugh.

Recently Undergone a Root Canal

Root canal therapy requires our dentists to remove any infected pulp from within a tooth. This is done through a small access hole in the tooth made by a dental drill. Thanks to numbing medication and local anesthetic, the procedure is relatively painless for patients.

At the end of the procedure, your tooth is cleaned and sealed with a filling so bacteria cannot re-enter. It is very common for patients to then have a dental crown placed to protect the vulnerable tooth and the temporary filling removed.

Severe Bruxism

Many adults suffer from a condition known as bruxism which is a term used to describe excessive grinding or clenching of the teeth. Not all are aware of these behaviors, however, as a majority of individuals grind or clench while asleep.

It’s not unheard of for patients experiencing bruxism to wear down teeth or even break one, depending on the severity of their condition. Our dentists will subsequently repair any affected tooth with a crown and create a custom-made night guard if a similar device is not already being used.

Make an Appointment With Our Dentists

Dental crowns placed by our family dentists in West Michigan will keep vulnerable teeth safe from further infection or damage. If you think you need a crown for your smile, please call one of our MI Smiles locations today to schedule an appointment.