Preventing issues with good dental hygiene is the best thing you can do for your teeth. Unfortunately, sometimes problems can arise despite your best intentions. In these cases, you may need certain treatments that necessitate a dental crown. Here are four reasons you might need to have a crown fitted:

1. You need a root canal.

A root canal is a procedure done when there's deep decay in one of your teeth. Once decay starts to affect your tooth's roots, you may feel severe pain as the root dies; you may even develop an infection. During your root canal, your dentist will numb your mouth thoroughly before removing the roots of the affected tooth. They will fill the gaps with a bonding agent, then apply a crown to cover your tooth, since without its roots the tooth will gradually weaken.

2. You have a particularly deep cavity.

A root canal isn't the only reason you might need a dental crown. In certain cases, you may have a cavity that only affects the upper layers of your teeth. However, if your dentist needs to remove a large portion of your enamel in order to eradicate the decay, that can weaken your teeth. Large fillings are more likely to fall out or break while you're chewing. If that happens, your dentist can replace the missing filling, but it's likely to happen again. In this situation, your dentist may recommend that you cover the tooth and filling with a crown to offer more protection.

3. You need a bridge.

Dental bridges are one alternative to dentures. They're a permanent option that can restore missing teeth. Your dentist will attach false teeth to dental crowns on either side of the gap in your mouth. This is a great solution for people who are only missing one or two teeth, who don't want to get dental implants. In order to attach the crowns to your teeth, your dentist will have to slightly reduce their size by drilling away some of your natural enamel. This means that it's inadvisable to remove the crowns at any point in the future.

4. Your tooth is eroded.

As you age, unfortunately, the enamel of your teeth can begin to wear away. This erosion can become particularly pronounced if you're in the habit of grinding your teeth at night. If the wear is severe, your dentist may suggest that you invest in a crown to cover the affected tooth.