When Do You Really Need a Dental Crown?

A tooth can take a lot of wear over the years. While dental fillings are usually enough to repair small cavities, teeth that are weakened by significant decay or dental injury require a stronger and more permanent solution. In these situations, a dental crown protects the tooth and restores its appearance and function.

While dental crowns are a common restorative dental treatment, they are only necessary to strengthen teeth with large fillings, protect weak or broken teeth, and restore a tooth’s normal shape and size. If you are wondering whether a crown is right for you, continue reading to learn more from the best dentist in Bedford and Windham.

What Does a Dental Crown Actually Do?

A dental crown is a custom dental restoration that covers the visible portion of a damaged or weakened tooth. It is the gold-standard treatment for creating a protective outer layer around the remaining tooth structure while restoring its shape, strength, appearance, and function.

Crowns can be made from modern ceramic and porcelain materials that closely match the color and appearance of natural teeth. The goal when getting a crown is to preserve as much healthy natural tooth structure as possible while giving the tooth the support it needs.

When to Get a Tooth Filling vs. a Dental Crown 

Not every damaged tooth needs a crown. A dental filling may be all that’s needed when the dentist can remove the decay and restore the tooth while enough healthy structure remains to keep it strong during everyday chewing. A crown becomes more necessary when the damage has affected a large portion of the tooth. 

Does a Cracked Tooth Need a Dental Crown?

A broken tooth or cracked tooth can change the way a tooth handles pressure. You may notice pain when biting down, sensitivity to hot or cold foods, or discomfort that comes and goes. Some cracks are difficult to see without a dental examination.

When a crack has weakened enough of the tooth, a crown may be necessary to hold the remaining structure together and protect it during everyday chewing. The right treatment really depends on the location and extent of the crack and whether the tooth's inner tissues have been affected. Only a comprehensive dental examination and dental X-rays can determine whether the tooth can be restored safely with a crown or a filling. 

Do I Need a Crown if I Have Worn Teeth?

Teeth naturally wear down as they experience years of chewing, biting, and everyday use. Significant wear can change the shape of a tooth and reduce the amount of healthy enamel available to protect the underlying structure. Grinding and clenching can contribute to tooth wear. Enamel erosion from eating and drinking acidic foods can also permanently remove enamel and may eventually require restorative treatment, including crowns, depending on the extent of damage. Before recommending a crown for worn teeth, a dentist will look for signs like:

• Flattened chewing surfaces
• Shortened teeth
• Cracks or chips
• Increased sensitivity
• Changes in the way your teeth come together
• Extensive loss of tooth structure

Do I Need a Dental Crown After a Root Canal?

A root canal removes infected or damaged tissue from inside a tooth and allows the natural tooth to remain in place. After root canal treatment, the tooth may require a definitive restoration to protect it from additional damage. A dental crown is the best way to protect the restored tooth because it provides full coverage over the visible portion of the tooth and helps restore normal function.

What to Expect When Getting a Dental Crown?

Getting a dental crown begins with a careful evaluation of your teeth using dental X-rays or digital dental imaging. If a dental crown is right for you, the rest of the process is typically very straightforward: 

• Tooth preparation, where the dentist carefully prepares the damaged tooth while preserving as much healthy structure as possible.
• Digital impressions that offer a highly accurate digital impression to help create a restoration designed for a precise fit.
• Custom crown fabrication where your crown is designed to match the surrounding teeth in shape, shade, and bite.
• Crown placement and adjustment of the permanent crown to ensure a comfortable bite.
• Long-term crown maintenance that keeps your crown looking and feeling like new. 

How Long Can a Dental Crown Last?

With proper care, a dental crown can last many years, even 10 to 15 years or longer, depending on your oral hygiene, bite habits, and the health of the underlying tooth. You can help protect your crown by:

• Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Cleaning between your teeth every day
• Keeping regular dental appointments
• Addressing grinding or clenching concerns with your dentist
• Wearing a recommended nightguard or sports guard when appropriate
• Calling your dentist if the crown feels loose, painful, or damaged

Where to Find the Best Dentist in Bedford and Windham for Dental Crowns

Restoring a damaged tooth requires the precision and skill of an experienced dentist who understands how every tooth functions, how much healthy structure remains, and how the restoration will work with the rest of your bite.

Lindner Dental Associates has provided comprehensive restorative dentistry throughout Southern New Hampshire since 1985. Our practice brings together general dentists, board-certified specialists, an oral surgeon, and orthodontists within one collaborative practice. Among them is Dr. Lesleyann Splagounias, who has a special interest in cosmetic dentistry and prosthodontics, focusing on creating healthy, beautiful, natural-looking smiles. She has also been recognized as one of New Hampshire's Top Dentists by NH Magazine every year since 2011. Dr. Carolyn Shreck brings 30 years of dental experience across private practice, hospital, community clinic, and military settings, and she continues to pursue training with the latest dental technology and materials. 

At our practice, our restorative dentists use digital imaging and highly accurate digital impressions when planning and creating dental crowns. This combination of restorative knowledge, cosmetic attention, modern technology, and coordinated care helps patients receive treatment that protects their natural teeth while restoring a comfortable, confident smile.

Ready to protect your smile with help from the best dentists in Bedford and Windham?