It is easy to chip a tooth. It can happen so quickly the damage can be done before you have a chance to react. All it takes is for something like a tool to slip or for you to take a blow to the mouth during a sporting event.
Chipped teeth can be painful, especially if the breakage is significant enough to expose the nerves. In addition to any physical discomfort that is felt, chipped teeth have an obvious impact on the appearance. If you have chipped teeth, there are ways of restoring your smile. One of the most effective ways of doing this is with the use of dental crowns.
A dental crown is a cover that is made to fit over what is left of a damaged tooth in order to make it look and work like a normal tooth. The process usually starts with a temporary crown that is put in place to protect the tooth until the permanent crown can be fabricated.
Dental crowns can be made from various materials, each with its own set of advantages. Metal crowns are usually more resistant to damage and are longer lasting than those made from other materials. They also seem to cause less damage to other teeth during chewing or biting. A disadvantage of metal crowns is the appearance. They obviously stand out because of their metallic color. As a result, these crowns are usually only used on teeth in the back of the mouth, where they are not as easily seen.
Teeth that are closer to the front of the mouth may be fitted with crowns that are made of porcelain fused over metal. This maintains most of the strength and longevity of metal but provides an appearance that is much closer to that of natural teeth. However, the metal can at times be visible along the gum line.
In order to provide a crown that matches up better with the surrounding teeth in terms of color and overall appearance, all porcelain is often the material of choice. All porcelain can be easier made to blend with the natural teeth because there is no metal to distort the color. A disadvantage to this material is that it is not as sturdy as all metal or porcelain over metal. However, it is still an excellent choice for the front teeth that are more visible.
If you had an incident that resulted in a chipped tooth, you can take some comfort in the fact that the appearance can be restored with the use of a crown. To schedule a consultation today, you can call our office at Parkwood Dental in either our East Bradenton or West Bradenton location. Our dentist will assist you in deciding which material to use so that the best selection can be made. Contact us today to book your appointment to learn more about dental crowns!
