A dental crown is a type of dental restoration that places a cap over a natural tooth or dental implant. Crowns help keep the underlying tooth from breaking apart and can be used to help fix an area on a tooth that is broken. Crowns are typically made of hard materials such as porcelain or ceramic to match the color of your natural teeth so no one ever notices it, but can also be made of gold, resin, or stainless steel.
Dental Crown Pros and Cons: The Pros
Dental crowns improve your appearance as well as function and can help correct any cosmetic issues in the mouth. There are many benefits to dental crowns, and crowns are commonly used today.
- Crowns are used to replace large or worn-out fillings in the teeth
- Restore dental implants
- Restore cracked, injured, or damaged teeth
- Correct discoloration or alignment
- Reshape your teeth
- Keep cracked or damaged teeth from breaking down further
- Protect the underlying tooth after a root canal
- Crowns are durable and last for 5 or more years, oftentimes 20+
Dental Crown Pros and Cons: The Cons
With any dental procedure, there are always some disadvantages patients should consider. It is not uncommon for crowns to need to be repaired or replaced every 5-10 years. Crowns can still get decay underneath them and more commonly at the edge where the crown and tooth connect. This can be avoided with regular checkups and great home care. During a crown procedure, the tooth has to be shaved down slightly to ensure the crown can be securely placed without feeling too bulky. If a crown is not fitted properly from the lab the first time, additional time in a temporary crown will be necessary. This is important to do, however, as an improperly fit crown will allow bacteria to enter underneath the crown and may cause the need for a root canal or extraction with time. Although uncommon, patients may become more sensitive to hot or cold for several weeks or months after their crown is placed. Our office typically recommends sensitive toothpaste to help with this issue.
If patients ever have an issue with a crown we encourage them to contact our office right away. Leaving a damaged crown untreated can lead to further issues or complications. Overall, dental crowns have several benefits and give patients a beautiful natural white smile.
Here’s a Quick Recap: Dental Crown Pros vs Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Restore cracked or damaged teeth | May need to be repaired or replaced |
| Correct discoloration or alignment | May become more sensitive to hot and cold |
| Replace worn-out fillings before they break | Requires minor tooth reduction |
| Restore dental implants | Can still get cavities underneath |
| Protect the tooth after a root canal before the tooth breaks | — |
Dental Crown Pros and Cons: The Next Step
If you are interested in finding out more about dental crowns, or if you have a damaged or discolored tooth, a dental crown may be the right solution. Our team is available to help you take the next step towards that perfect smile.
To schedule your consultation with our team contact our office, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you!
