Damage to a tooth increases the risk of eventual tooth loss and decay. Dental crowns strengthen and protect damaged teeth and help you 
keep your smile intact. Our Akron, OH, family dentist, Dr. Arthur Benson, discusses how crowns can help your teeth.
Crowns cover and stabilize teeth
Crowns provide a protective covering for your teeth. The hollow restorations slip over teeth after they've been reduced in size on all four sides. Crowns are made from a variety of materials that look like your tooth enamel, such as porcelain, resin and porcelain-fused-to-metal. If you like, you can even choose a cast gold crown. Although gold crowns are exceptionally strong, they also cost more than other types of crowns and usually aren't covered by dental insurance.
Crowns protect your teeth in several ways, including:
- Restoring Broken Teeth: Broken teeth don't usually break cleanly, but leave jagged edges that can tear the sensitive tissues of your mouth. A broken tooth is also useless when you need to bite into a sandwich or chew a carrot. Crowns cover jagged edges, restore the height and width of your tooth and also improve your appearance.
- Preventing Cracks from Worsening: Small cracks eventually become big ones if they're constantly exposed to pressure. Every time you eat, you place considerable pressure on your teeth. Eventually, the little crack in your tooth enlarges and may even cause your tooth to fracture. If the fracture is severe, it may be necessary to extract your tooth in our Akron office. In addition to concerns about fractures, a crack in your tooth also allows bacteria to enter your tooth and cause tooth decay. When a crown is added to a cracked tooth, the crown, not the tooth, absorbs the pressure produced when you bite and chew.
- Protecting Weak Teeth: Your teeth can become weak if you've had a root canal, a large filling or other dental procedure. Age can weaken teeth, or you might have inherited brittle teeth. No matter what the cause, dental crowns support and stabilize your teeth, preventing it from cracking or breaking.
Crowns offer the ideal way to repair and restore damaged teeth. If you could benefit from a crown, make an appointment with our Akron, OH, family dentist, Dr. Benson, by calling (330) 666-8757.