Why dental crowns Highlands Ranch dentist

Dental crowns and bridges are prescribed to help strengthen the tooth or fill in a space where a tooth has been lost.Highlands Ranch dentist Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. Candace DeLapp provide dental crowns and bridges to our Colorado Dental Patients in the Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Castle Pine, Centennial, Englewood and Greater Denver area.

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Dentist Highlands Ranch

Reasons for a dental crown include but are not limited to:

• A large cavity in your tooth
• Restoring a failing, decaying, or broken filling.
• Crowning a cracked tooth.
• Restoring a tooth affected by "cracked tooth syndrome"
• Replacing and existing crown where decay has infected the area where the crown meets the natural tooth structure.
•  tooth which has been Endodontically  (root canal) treated

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 Large Dental Cavity Highlands Ranch dentist

 Placing a restoration leaves a tooth weakened because the decay (which must be removed) leaves less tooth remaining.  Small fillings obviously, have enough remaining tooth structure to support the tooth.  When a large area of your tooth has been damaged bydecay or a previous restoration...  Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. Candace DeLapp may recommend a crown in order to restore the infected/affected parts.  A large restoration (filling) will leave the tooth with little of its natural structure and susceptible to fracture or even completely breaking.  The natural tooth structure provides much support and strength to the tooth.

Restoring a failed or broken filling (restoration):  In "many" but "not all" cases we can replace a filling with another filling hopefully not much larger than original. The ultimate risk is that the new larger filling leaves yourtooth vulnerable to fracture. A horizontal fracture while causing significant problem... is less of problem than vertical fractures which frequently dooms the tooth to extraction. Therefore, a dental crown may be recommended to add the needed support your tooth needs.

Crowning a cracked tooth Highlands Ranch dentist

Teeth crack for a number of reasons. The most significant reason is that they endure a tremendous amount of force from chewing and biting every day.  As teeth age, they may become more brittle and lose some of their original strength.  In addition, significant forces caused by clenching and grinding your teeth can also weaken the tooth/teeth. Chewing on ice, hard candy, etc. can weaken teeth. Typically, radiography "may" or "may not" reveal the fracture of the tooth because most of the time the fracture will be microscopic.

Cracked tooth "syndrome" Highlands Ranch dentist

This can be one of the most frustrating elements to treat in family dentistry. Cracked tooth syndrome is a very commonly occurring problem in patient's teeth.  Teeth may crack when subjected to the stress of chewing hard foods or ice, or by biting on an unexpected hard objector... from clenching and grinding (TMJ/TMD). Teeth with or without restorations (fillings) may exhibit this problem, but teeth restored with typical silver/mercury alloy restorations are the most susceptible.  When fillings become "too large" crowns are recommended to reduce the risk of fracture and give teeth the support they need.

Typical signs and symptoms of "cracked tooth syndrome"

• Pain on chewing
• Pain may be difficult to isolate to a particular tooth
•  Pain on cold air application to the tooth
• Unsolicited pain
• "Usually" no radiographic evidence of the problem
•  Decay (cavity) may or may not be present

Treatment for cracked teeth ("simple" cracked tooth syndrome) Highlands Ranch dentist

The majority of cracked teeth (90%) can be treated by the placement of a simple dental crown on the tooth.  When the tooth is prepared for the Dental Crown and the temporary crown placed, the pain "usually" leaves.  If this is the case with your tooth we will place the final crown on your next appointment.

Treatment ("complex" cracked tooth syndrome)

This is where the term "syndrome" comes from. A "syndrome" can be at times, complex/difficult to treat with variable results.  In these "complex cracks", the defect can extend down into the nerve and lead in other instances, out to the outer surface of the root. This type of "complex crack" is seen in about 10% of the time.  If pain persists after crown placement, the crack most likely has progressed to the nerve and a root canal is indicated. 

Occasionally/rarely, the crack may spread and proceed to theouter surface of the tooth, and the tooth will need to be extracted.  What can be "frustrating" for the Family Dentist and the patient is... we do a crown... then a root canal... followed by and extraction of the offending tooth.  The above scenario is uncommon but ... possible and no one is pleased with the outcome.  If this does occur an implant, fixed Dental Bridge or a removable partial denture may be recommended.  Ifno treatment is performed on the tooth, the tooth  is at risk for the crack to worsen and become non-treatable.

Decay at the margin and/or under of an existing crown Highlands Ranch dentist

While the crown per se does not decay, the interface where the Dental Crown meets the natural tooth structure is susceptible to decay or dental cavity.  This occurs when the crown becomes loose and/or is in an area that is difficult to keep free of plaque and bacteria that is the cause of decay. In bridges this is seen when one abutment/retainer is loose and the other secure.  Decay creeps under the loose crown and can cause quite a problem in a short period of time. Routine check-ups, cleanings, and fluoride treatment are the best "prevention".

Alternatives to Dental Crowns include but are not limited to: 

•  "If" enough natural tooth structure remains... trying another filling (restoration).
• Have the tooth extracted (not a good idea as a general rule).
•  "Delaying "dental treatment" You must decide "when" and "if any" treatment is needed understanding that delaying treatment most likely results in more complex and expensive treatment.
• Implant

Types of Dental Crowns Highlands Ranch dentist

There are many different types of Dental Crowns, each with their own benefits and limitations.  These include but are not limited to:

•  Gold crowns
• Partial gold crowns, inlays or onlays.
• Porcelain fused to metal crowns (PFM)
• Porcelain crowns

As a general rule ... all metalDental Crowns (gold or an alloy of gold) are stronger and as a group are not as esthetic.  All porcelain Dental Crowns are better looking but not as durable for "some" patients.  We try to choose a type of crown that will meet your needs.

Crowns over teeth with root canals.   In "most" (but not all) instances it is advisable to crown a tooth that has had a root canal.  The tooth in general is more brittle whether from the procedure of from the amount of tooth removed in its treatment.

Dental Bridges:  Dental Bridges are used for the following reasons:

•  To replace teeth for chewing and biting.
• Reduces the risk of lower teeth tilting and creating a malocclusion (poor bite).
• Reduce the risk of upper teeth "super-erupting" of the upper teeth creating a malocclusion.

Alternatives of Dental Bridges.  There are several alternatives to Dental Bridges and include but are not limited to:

•  No treatment leaves a space and malocclusion occurs in months to years later.
• A partial or removable denture
• Dental Implants providing there is enough bone support for the implant.

Summary:   There are a number of situations in whichHighlands Ranch Dentists ... Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. Candace DeLapp recommend a crown for your tooth or teeth. Please feel free to contact our office at (303) 694-9740.  Cottonwood Dental Group, P.C. serve patients in the Colorado area specifically in the Highlands Ranch, Lone tree, Castle Pines, Centennial, Englewood and Greater Denver area.