Dental Crowns

Why get dental crowns?

An example often used to understand what a dead tooth does in our mouth is that of a dead branch on a tree. The branch appears to look solid, but it is emptied of its essence (sap) and can break at any moment, creating more damage to the rest of the tree. Setting a dental crown will preserve a damaged tooth, but it will also protect the dental structure of the jaw. A devitalized tooth that is not protected by a crown will break up bit by bit until the dentist will be prompted to remove it completely. Dental crowns also help limit problems that can cascade to other healthy teeth. Indeed, a diseased tooth, if it is not protected by a dental crown, can damage other teeth, much like a spreading flu in the body. The cost of a crown is a main concern during a visit to the dental clinic. Statistics show that only 39% of Quebecers over 45 years old have insurance to cover dental expenses. This figure rises to 61% in the rest of the country for the same age group. However, a dental crown fitting is vital to your oral health and may help you avoid the costs of repair, extraction or a dental implant in the future. In average, more than 40 million Americans need to replace one or more teeth, that accounts for 1 in 3 adults. In 2005, a survey was conducted to determine the frequency of treatments provided by general dentists and hygienists per month. The study indicates a total of 6 crown treatments monthly, for a total of 72 per year among dentists.

When should you get a dental crown?

It is highly recommended to visit the dentist at least twice a yearfor cleaning and consultation. At that appointment, the dentist will tell you if you have damaged teeth that require a dental crown. There is no minimum age for getting a dental crown, its simply sufficient that a tooth is damaged enough through decay, too much wear, or it is just plain broken. According to the Canadian Dental Association, the first visit to a dentist for a child should occur within 6 months after the appearance of the first tooth or at the age of one. It is rare that a cavity appears at this very young age, but the dentist can detect other dental problems. When you break your tooth or its natural structure is damaged following a cavity for example, your dentist will most probably offer to make you a dental crown. The dental crown is an artificial hollow tooth(prosthesis) covering the damaged tooth to protect against external damages. It acts as a shell and is the visible part of the tooth. The dental crown can be made in the case where the tooth is broken, damaged, discoloured, worn or fragile.