How dental crowns can save your natural teeth

Dental crowns are one of the best options you have for saving your natural teeth.

At Pacific Smiles Dental, we always aim to look after your natural teeth whenever possible. It is completely normal to feel unsure about what to do when a tooth is cracked or badly damaged, or to jump to the assumption that getting it pulled out is the only option you have. 

While a crown is considered major dental, the good news is that you rarely need a referral to a specialist to get it fixed. Your local Pacific Smiles Dental clinic offers a wide-range of treatments that also covers full restorative care, including custom dental crowns. 

We are sure you have plenty of questions, so let’s have a look at how a crown works, why saving your natural tooth matters, and what you can expect every step of the way. 

What is a dental crown? 

Think of a dental crown as a custom-made protective cap. It fits precisely over the visible part of a damaged tooth, right down to the gumline. 

Instead of replacing the original tooth, the crown completely encases the weakened tooth structure, restoring its original shape, size, and strength so you can bite and chew with confidence again. 

Maybe you’re not quite ready for a steak just yet, first we will run through the most important reasons to go the extra effort to keep your original teeth. 

Five ways a Pacific Smiles crown protects your smile 

Everyday life can be tough on our teeth. Here are the most common situations where our dentists might recommend a crown to protect your natural smile: 

Supporting teeth after a root canal: A root canal treatment is excellent for clearing out infection, but it can leave the remaining tooth weakened. If the crack is not too deep into the root of the tooth, a crown acts as a protective shield so the tooth can easily handle everyday chewing pressure. 

Holding together cracked teeth: Biting down on something hard can cause small chips or cracks. If left alone, these cracks can spread. A crown binds the sections of the tooth together, stopping deep splits before they cause major trouble. 

Reinforcing large fillings: When a cavity is large, there is often very little natural tooth left around the filling. A crown covers the whole area, distributing the pressure of your bite evenly so the thin walls of the tooth do not break away. 

Sealing out advanced decay: When decay is too widespread for a standard filling, a crown seals off the remaining healthy part of your tooth. The decay is first removed before the crown is placed. The crown keeps bacteria out and helps prevent new decay from forming underneath with good hygiene and regular care.

Why keeping your natural teeth matters 

Whenever a tooth can be saved, it is almost always the best path forward for your long-term oral health. Your natural teeth are perfectly designed for chewing, speaking clearly, and keeping your jawbone strong. That’s why you need to look after them and keep them as long as you can. 

When a damaged tooth is left untreated, the problem can escalate into other problems. The tooth can break off, which may eventually lead to needing it to be pulled out. Losing a tooth can cause your other teeth to shift out of place, changing your bite over time. 

While options like bridges or dental implants are fantastic modern solutions for missing teeth, keeping your original tooth with a crown is much more of a straightforward dental decision. 

What to expect at your Pacific Smiles Dental appointment 

During your first visit for a crown at Pacific Smiles Dental, your dentist will shape the outer layer of the tooth so the crown can fit over it perfectly. 

We then take a precise digital scan or impression of your tooth. This ensures your new crown matches the exact shape and shade of your surrounding teeth for a completely natural look. 

While your custom crown is being expertly crafted, we will fit you with a temporary one to keep you comfortable. At your next visit, your dentist will check the fit and bond your final crown securely into place. 

Once your crown is in place, caring for it is simple: with regular brushing, daily flossing, and your regular dental check-ups.

Take control of your dental health 

You do not have to wait until a damaged tooth becomes uncomfortable to take action. Being proactive about your dental health is an empowering step that keeps everything working as it should while protecting your smile. 

If you have a cracked tooth, an old filling that feels loose, or you just want to check on your options, the Pacific Smiles Dental caring and supportive team is here to help you understand your choices without any stress. 

To book a crown consultation at your local Pacific Smiles Dental clinic today, ring for an appointment, or do it online. 

This article was clinically reviewed by Dr Ren Sun, Chief Dental Officer at Pacific Smiles.