Porcelain Crowns And Veneers To Cover A Damaged Tooth

When you damage a tooth, the damage may not be substantial enough to irreparably sacrifice the health of a tooth. If a tooth is cracked severely enough to separate the tooth through its root, it cannot be salvaged; the tooth must be extracted. However, a a minimal crack that does damage the pulp or roots of a tooth may be restored without an invasive procedure. The treatment process may only involve covering the tooth and making it blend with the other undamaged teeth in your mouth. 

Many restorative options that are designed to blend with your other teeth and conceal dental imperfections are made of porcelain or dental ceramic. Here are two of them:

Porcelain Crowns

Dental crowns that are tooth colored are often made from porcelain or porcelain over metal. To ensure that the crown matches your mouth properly, a mold of your tooth is made. The technician at the dental lab uses this impression to fabricate the crown. Once the crown is completed, it is sent back to the dentist's office, where it is affixed to your tooth using dental bonding cement.

The crown covers the entire portion of the tooth that lies above the gum line. Thus, after the crown application, the tooth is properly reinforced to prevent additional damage from regular bite pressure. Additionally, all damage is concealed, including any discoloration that may have stemmed from the trauma. 

The crown restoration is considered permanent. 

Porcelain Veneers

A veneer also conceals damage to a tooth. However, the veneer is only attached to the front of the tooth.

The shape and size of the veneer is designed from an impression of the tooth as the dimensions of a dental crown are. The dentist prepares the damaged tooth for the veneer's placement by removing a small portion of tooth enamel. This removal allows the veneer to be positioned on the front of the tooth without causing unwelcome changes to your bite line.

Like a dental crown, a veneer is considered a permanent dental correction. Still, in some cases, a porcelain veneer will need to be replaced. A replacement is sometimes necessary because the veneer does not fit under the gum line. As a result, as you age and your gums recede, the top of the veneer may become more noticeable, and a larger replacement may be needed.

To learn more about dental devices that can be used to correct a damaged tooth, schedule an appointment with a dentist in your area.

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