If you recently broke off most or all of a tooth, you will obviously want to repair the damage as soon as you can. One very common choice when a tooth has been severely damaged involves the use of a dental crown.Therefore, the following information will be helpful as you plan for the emergency dental care that a broken or weakened tooth requires.

Understanding The Need For A Dental Crown

It will first be necessary to understand that when you are missing any part of a tooth, you are much more likely to develop an inflammation or infection of the tooth or gum. That is due to the fact that when the structural integrity of the tooth has been compromised, food, germs, and bacteria are all much more likely to get stuck in it. In addition, it can also be more challenging to thoroughly and effectively clean a damaged tooth if the cracked area is uneven or at an angle.

Knowing What To Expect From The Procedure

Your dentist will first need to provide a deep cleaning to remove any debris from the area. If you have already developed an infection, it may be necessary for you take antibiotics for a few days before you can get more work done on the tooth, as infection and swelling could cause a lot of pain as you recover. The crown will cover the outside of the tooth and can be made in the same shade as your surrounding tooth, if needed.

Essentially, the crown strengthens your tooth and provides it with the same abilities that the healthy tooth had. It may last a lifetime, but could also need to be replaced in a few years, so keep an eye on it.

Accessing Dental Crowns For Other Reasons

It is not unusual to see the dentist for one problem, like a severely damaged tooth, and then learn about other dental problems that will benefit from immediate dental care at the same visit. Common examples include a badly weakened tooth that is at increased risk of fracture or a large filling that threatens the functionality of the tooth. In addition, it may also be necessary to cover an obviously damaged or repaired tooth, such as after a root canal or when a metallic filling is present. 

The size and customized appearance of a dental crown makes it an ideal way to cover up a wide variety of aesthetic issues with the tooth. As a result, the dental crown is a common repair that is a provided by dentists on a regular basis.

In conclusion, there is no doubt that a damaged tooth can negatively impact your appearance every time you smile or speak. Fortunately, by speaking with a dentist like George J Mendel DMD about the facts listed above, you will be able to choose the most appropriate way to repair the damage.