It's not always obvious when you need a tooth crown. Read on to learn how to tell if you need a tooth crown.

Oral healthcare experts consider dental crowns as "the single-most productive procedure." After all, a study showed that in 2016, 12,500 dental practices placed around 1.95 million crowns. That number is only for the practices included in the study.

In any case, tooth crowns are no doubt some of the most common and popular dental procedures. These fixed, oral prosthetic devices help strengthen teeth and support damaged ones. They also enhance the appearance, shape, and function of teeth.

Some people even get them to correct teeth alignment issues, like gapped or crooked teeth. Furthermore, they can make chipped, broken, or cracked teeth whole again.

In essence, a crown on tooth is much like a "cap" that goes on top of the entire tooth. It covers the entire structure of the tooth, which then makes it like a second layer of protection.

As mentioned above, dentists place dental crowns in patients who have damaged teeth. But there are times wherein the need for these devices aren't as obvious. Let's take a look at some of them.

At first glance, your teeth may look healthy and strong. But they may already be suffering from enamel erosion. That makes your teeth weak, paving the way for decay and possible tooth loss.

Sensitivity to some types of food and drinks, like sweets, is a common sign of a weak tooth. If you feel an unpleasant tingling when you eat or drink hot and cold foods, that's another symptom. Cupping or indentations on your tooth's surface also tells you that it has lost enamel.

In this case, you should schedule a dental checkup as soon as possible. Your teeth may have already lost quite a bit of enamel, which can soon lead to decay. Save your teeth from that and possible extraction by getting a crown.

Ever catch yourself grinding, gnashing, or clenching your teeth? You may not notice it all the time, so others may have pointed it to you. Either way, you may be suffering from bruxism, which can put a huge toll on your teeth.

Awake bruxism is when your mouth does these actions while you're awake. If you grind or clench them as you sleep, that's what you call sleep bruxism. As many as 10% of the population suffers from sleep bruxism.

That constant pressure and stress placed on the teeth can wear away its enamel. When that happens, your teeth weaken, increasing your risk for decay and fracture. Contact a dentist ASAP, so that you can address both bruxism and the risks of weakening teeth.

Not all toothaches need a dental crown, but most of them signal dental decay. If you've put off seeing a dentist even with that nagging tooth pain, it's possible the decay has become too big. A dental filling may no longer be enough to restore the tooth.

In this case, your best option is to get it crowned. A crown can restore the severely-damaged tooth so that you don't have to get it extracted. You want to keep all your natural teeth for as long as possible, so have a dentist look at your aching tooth ASAP.

Even people with the healthiest teeth can still get some tiny pieces of food stuck in their teeth. But if you've been experiencing this on a regular basis, you may already have a bigger problem. It's possible that one or several of your teeth have sustained cracks, chips, or fractures.

Before they worsen and become much bigger, strengthen them with a dental crown.

If you're worrying because you've seen people with silver or gold crowns, don't! Crowns are available in ceramic and porcelain materials too. A reliable dentist uses top-notch materials that can match the color of your teeth.

As for the tooth crown procedure, you may need to go to the dentist at least twice. The first visit is often for inspection and may involve getting an x-ray of your mouth. The dentist would also shape and take an impression of the affected tooth.

Most crowning procedures involve tooth shaping, which removes precise amounts of the tooth. This is to ensure the crown will be a perfect fit on your teeth. Also, don't worry--the dentist will use an anesthetic to numb the treatment area.

Once the dentist completes the preparation, you may get a temporary crown fitted. This will help prevent further damage before you get your permanent crown.

The second visit is for placing the permanent dental crown. Again, the dentist administers anesthesia to make the procedure as painless as possible. A dental cement is then used to fix and secure the crown over your tooth.

The signs you need a dental filling and a tooth crown can be so similar. Either way, both need addressing ASAP to prevent more decay and possible gum disease.

As such, please don't hesitate to connect with us! Set up an appointment with our dental office so we can help you determine which treatment you need.