What Is the Purpose of Getting a Dental Crown?
Some cavities need more than just a filling. The tooth comprises three separate layers, the hard, outer layer that makes up the tooth enamel, the dentin, which serves as the tooth’s main structure, and the center pulp, which holds blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.
When a cavity, or tooth decay, permeates all three levels of a tooth, you may need a dental crown to protect and reinforce the tooth’s structure. Other purposes of a dental crown include:
- Support the structure of a tooth that’s broken or at risk of breaking
- Improve the appearance of a misshapen or discolored tooth
- Hold a tooth together after a large dental filling or root canal
- Anchor a dental bridge
Dental crowns also serve as the structural and cosmetic top of a dental implant, making the implant look and function like a regular tooth.