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Dental crowns are small, sturdy caps that cover the entire visible portion of a tooth. These simple prosthetics have been around for thousands of years, but many people do not realize how versatile they are. Crowns can be used to solve a number of common dental problems, including some that are difficult to treat any other way. The issues listed below are just some of the many applications for these incredible dental enhancements.

Using Dental Crowns to Solve 7 Common Oral Health Problems

Large Fillings

If you have had significant cavities in the past, your dentist may have repaired those cavities with large dental fillings. This solution gets rid of the immediate problem, but it does not lead to good long-term outcomes. Large fillings weaken the tooth and may lead to breakage.

When it is time to have those large fillings replaced, your dentist may recommend that you get crowns on those teeth instead. This is an especially good idea if a filling covers more than half the tooth’s width or if the tooth has cracks around the filling’s margins, as these are signs that it may soon break.

Cracked or Broken Teeth

Teeth that have sustained cracks or have broken in places can no longer stand up to the stresses of regular use. Dental crowns can restore their structure and stability, allowing you to chew and speak without fearing that you will cause further damage. In many cases, adding a tooth crown will strengthen the tooth enough to extend its lifespan by many years.

Enamel Repair

Tooth enamel is very strong, but it can be worn down by things like overconsumption of acidic foods, overzealous brushing, or teeth grinding. Since tooth enamel cannot be replaced, the only way to simulate the protection that the enamel once offered is to cover the tooth with a crown. The procedure involves removing much of the damaged enamel on the tooth, so your crowned tooth will be as strong as any other tooth when the process is complete.

Decayed Teeth

Teeth with extensive decay are severely structurally compromised. They may no longer have the strength to stay intact during chewing and speaking. Eventually, they are sure to crack or break. Covering these teeth with a crown instead of filling them with composite gives them additional structural strength. This provides them with enough durability to withstand the normal forces of daily usage. In many cases, applying a dental crown may be the only way to save a severely decayed tooth from extraction.

Damaged or Imperfect Teeth

Many people have one or two front teeth that they wish looked less out of place. Dental crowns can disguise minor problems like chips, cracks, or slight positional imperfections. They can also be used to alter a tooth’s size, shape, and colour. There are many different types of dental crowns available to help you achieve the exact look you want. Ask your dentist for guidance if you have a cosmetic dental problem you are interested in addressing with crowns. They can tell you which materials will produce the best results for your needs.

Uneven Bite

A tooth that is slightly smaller, larger, or differently shaped than its neighbours can significantly disrupt the equilibrium of your bite. A dental crown can alter the shape of your tooth to help it fit in with the others around it. This can relieve some of the discomfort caused by minor bite abnormalities. Your dentist will let you know if crowns are a viable option to address your bite problems or if more extensive treatment like orthodontics would be more appropriate.

Tooth Sensitivity

If you have worn down the enamel on your teeth, you may have trouble eating hot and cold foods without pain. This is because your enamel normally insulates the sensitive dentin and pulp inside your teeth from the harsh temperatures of your food and drink.

Since a dental crown covers those parts of the tooth the same way your enamel would, these prosthetics can sometimes help patients overcome tooth sensitivity. This is not a guaranteed result – in some cases, a tooth may become more sensitive after being crowned. However, people with persistent sensitivity problems may feel it is worth the risk.

Get Beautiful, Long-Lasting Dental Crowns

Dental crowns may have myriad possible uses, but only those that are expertly crafted and properly installed will be effective in the long run. At Trillium Smile Dentistry, we want you to look and feel your best after getting dental crowns. Call us today at 905-828-9894 or contact us using our online form to inquire about dental crown costs, learn more about the procedure, or book your appointment to receive a crown of your own.

Also Read: A Complete Guide to Dental Crowns for Oral Care

If your dentist has suggested that you undergo oral surgery, do not panic. The term may sound scary, but it really isn’t.

Oral surgery is used to correct many common conditions, including impacted wisdom teeth and jaw joint issues. When done by an expert oral surgeon, most of these procedures are quick, involve relatively little pain, and have minimal downtime.

Always Talk to Your Dentist First

Any pain around your mouth or face should be investigated by a dentist before you see any other healthcare professional. Most of the time, even problems that seem very severe can easily be handled by your dentist without the need for drastic measures like oral surgery. If your dentist determines that you do need oral surgery to correct your problem, they will make the necessary arrangements on your behalf.

5 Common Situation in Which Your Dentist May Recommend Dental Surgery in Mississauga

1. Impacted Teeth

Typically, teeth erupt from the jawbone and gums while their crown sits just above the gumline. Impacted teeth do not do this. Instead, they get caught somewhere along the way and fail to erupt fully. They stop emerging with only some of the tooth visible above the gums or never even break the surface. This happens most often with third molars, also known as wisdom teeth, but can happen to any tooth.

Impacted teeth are prone to infections and can make existing gum disease worse. They can also cause damage to the surrounding teeth, gums, and jawbone and generate enough pain to significantly reduce your quality of life. Oral surgery can remove the impacted teeth and solve these problems.

2. Jaw Joint Problems

Your jaw joint, also called your temporomandibular joint or TMJ, is the small hinge in front of your ears. When it functions correctly, this joint allows you to open your mouth to speak and eat. Conversely, when something is wrong with it, those things become difficult. Problems like jaw stiffness, facial muscle aches, and headaches are all common and take a significant toll on your quality of life.

TMJ problems can be treated using medication, splints, cold compresses, physical therapy exercises, or a combination of these things. However, this condition is notoriously resistant to treatment and prone to relapse. If less invasive treatments are not producing the results you want, your dentist may recommend oral surgery to reposition your jaw and take some of the stress off that vulnerable joint.

3. Overbite or Underbite

An overbite occurs when a person’s top row of teeth sits too far over the bottom row. An underbite describes the opposite problem. In severe cases, either of these conditions can cause you to have trouble chewing food, speaking properly, and even breathing.

Orthodontics can usually address overbites and underbites, but severe cases may require oral surgery. Surgery is often combined with orthodontics to attain lasting corrective results. Your dentist or orthodontist will tell you if they feel you would benefit from undergoing oral surgery to improve your bite.

4. Improving the Fit of Your Dentures

Dentures can make a big difference in your ability to speak and eat, but they require a close fit to work correctly. Without well-aligned jaws and a strong ridge of bone to rest on, they will slip often and fail to provide the function you need.

If your mouth cannot accommodate dentures properly in its present state, your dentist may recommend oral surgery to help your jaw alignment. In other cases, you might need bone grafts to rebuild your jawbone after it has degraded from gum disease or old age.

5. Sleep and Breathing Problems

If you suffer from sleep apnea or severe snoring, your jaw and respiratory pathways may be to blame. The resting position of your jaw may be too far backward for your lungs to easily inhale the air they need while you are unconscious, leading to sleeping difficulties as your body does its best to overcome this struggle.

Your dentist will likely recommend less invasive treatments for these problems at first, including the use of a CPAP machine to help you regulate your breathing at night. However, if you continue to experience symptoms, oral surgery can create the necessary airflow.

What Should I Expect If I Have Oral Surgery?

If you choose to have oral surgery, your oral surgeon will give you all of the details on your upcoming procedure well in advance.

If your procedure will be taking place while you are under general anesthetic, you will be asked not to eat or drink anything the night before. This will reduce your risk of aspiration and keep you safe during your surgery.

You will also likely be asked to arrange to ride home with a friend or family member after your surgery. Due to the effects of the anesthesia you will be given, it will not be safe for you to drive or take public transportation by yourself for several hours after your procedure.

Your surgeon will also give you a list of instructions to follow after your surgery, including how much time you will need to take off work. You will need to take your prescribed medications and avoid consuming certain foods and drinks or participating in strenuous activity for a few days while you heal. Follow their instructions carefully, and your recovery should be relatively swift and easy.

Visit Us for Dental Surgery in Mississauga

Oral surgery does not have to be a scary prospect. Trillium Smile Dentistry can help you get the procedure done safely and comfortably. Dr. Tousi’s many patients often call her the best dentist in Mississauga for her expertise and warm, friendly approach. Contact us today at 905-828-9894 or use our online form to request an appointment and let our staff guide you through this stressful experience as painlessly as possible.

Also Read:

10 Things You Should Do Before Dental Surgery

Whether you are getting one on its own or as part of a dental bridge, dental crowns are one of the most common types of dental restorations available today. Despite their prevalence, many patients are not convinced that they need a dental crown when their dentist suggests one.

If a dentist you are unfamiliar with recommends that you get crowns, it is natural to be skeptical. Many other treatments can be administered to extend the life of a tooth that will eventually need a crown. However, a dental crown will ultimately become the best option if you want to keep your tooth. Here are some common situations in which this is the case and how having teeth crowned can benefit your oral health.

6 Situations in Which You Should Consider Getting a Dental Crown

Your dentist may suggest a dental crown if you have:

4 Major Benefits of Dental Crowns

Get Beautiful, Long-Lasting Dental Crowns at Trillium Smile Dentistry

Dental crowns may be more expensive and require you to sacrifice more tooth structure than some other restorations, but they are often the best treatment option for severely compromised teeth. If you have a tooth that you would like crowned, visit Trillium Smile Dentistry. Dr. Tousi has often been called the best dentist in Mississauga in reviews from her many happy patients, and the rest of the dental team is just as warm and professional as she is. Contact us today at 905-828-9894 or request an appointment online to discuss dental crowns or any of your other dental restoration needs.

Many people think dentistry is focused on fixing oral health problems, but the best dentists work to make sure you never have these problems in the first place.

Your dentist in Mississauga can help you improve and maintain your oral health with preventative dentistry services. These procedures can keep your teeth and gums intact, improve your overall health, and even save you money.