When Are Caps For Teeth Recommended?

If the statement ‘say cheese’ makes you afraid of revealing your broken or cracked choppers, then caps for teeth are an ideal solution for you. A dental cap/crown is a tooth covering that is placed on a shaved down tooth to improve its aesthetic appeal.

This is a very simple procedure that can help boost your smile without any invasive implant surgery. In addition to offering cosmetic benefits, a dental cap reinforces the structure of your tooth and protects weakened teeth.

Each cap has to be custom-made in a medical laboratory using copies of your teeth to ensure it blends perfectly with the other teeth in your mouth in terms of shape, color, size, and texture. Once caps are placed, they become your teeth’s new outer surface. Therefore, they have to be cared for like normal teeth. However, there are very many other treatment procedures that can be used instead of crowns in certain cases, and you may wonder whether caps for teeth are right for you.

Your dentist will recommend a cap if you meet the following criteria:

1. Extreme discoloration

Teeth whitening can help remove stains from your teeth for a brighter smile. However, if your teeth are discolored beyond repair, bleaching products may not make much of a difference. In such instances, a dental cap is an effective and minimally-invasive alternative.

2. Severe decay

If your teeth are severely decayed and damaged, dental fillings may not be able to repair them. In such instances, a dentist may recommend a dental cap to solve the problem.

3. Small or misshapen teeth

If your teeth are naturally very small, a dental cap can increase their length slightly for a better-looking smile. Caps can also help enhance the cosmetic appearance of misshapen teeth.

4. Bruxism

Bruxism is a medical term describing the habitual and involuntary grinding of teeth, especially during sleep. Teeth grinding can significantly damage the chewing surface of your tooth. A dentist can recommend a dental cap to restore the structure of your tooth for a more comfortable bite.

5. Protecting tooth structure

Dental caps are placed on teeth that are broken or that have had root canal treatment. This is because, in addition to improving the appearance of your smile, caps strengthen and reinforce your teeth. Caps can also hold together parts of a broken tooth.

Other instances where caps for teeth are recommended include:

To hold a dental bridge in place
To cover a single dental implant
To properly align your bite

In the case of small children who still have their milk teeth, a dental cap can be used to protect their teeth if they are at high risk of tooth decay. Dental caps are also recommended to decrease the frequency of anesthesia in children who are unable to keep up with daily oral hygiene due to age or behavior. In such cases, the pediatric dentist is likely to recommend stainless steel crowns because they are temporary. When the primary tooth comes out to make way for permanent teeth, the stainless steel cap will come out with it.

Wrapping up

A dental cap is very advantageous because it is custom-made to resemble your teeth for a more natural-looking smile. However, it is important to note that in order to qualify for caps for teeth, you need to have healthy gums and teeth roots. This is because the restoration procedure requires the healthy portion of the tooth or implant to provide support for the dental cap.

Call (301) 248-8080 to schedule an appointment with James E Sullivan DDS in our Fort Washington dental office.