Can I Get a Crown If I Have Gum Disease?

What Is a Crown?

It is a dental appliance that repairs and restores damaged teeth. Somerset dentists use dental crowns to restore severely compromised tooth structures. The crowns mimic natural teeth, embracing a tooth-like shape. Porcelain is the most celebrated type of dental crown in dentistry.

Porcelain dental crowns are both tooth-shaped and tooth-colored, giving you a natural-looking result. However, you can also consider porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns that feature metallic and non-metallic components.

When Are Dental Crowns Necessary in Dentistry?

Dentists at KK Dental – Somerset can recommend dental crowns for your treatment under the following circumstances:

• Fixing a cracked or broken tooth – a dental crown can repair a severely fractured tooth to restore its function and aesthetics.
• Completing a root canal procedure – sometimes, dentists recommend placing dental crowns over teeth after the endodontic procedure. The dental crown offers extra protection to the treated tooth while strengthening it for optimal functionality.
• Holding a sizeable dental filling – if you undergo a restorative treatment with dental fillings, you may need a dental crown to hold your tooth structure. A big tooth filling can weaken the remaining natural tooth unless reinforced with a dental crown.
• Crowning a tooth after implantation surgery – dental implants in Somerset are permanent solutions for replacing teeth. However, after replacing the tooth root, the false tooth will not be functional unless it is crowned. Dental crowns are the most popular appliances for completing implantation procedures.

Getting Dental Crowns with Gum Disease

Gum disease is a common oral disease that has many consequences. Delayed treatment allows the infection to spread and advance, causing permanent complications like tooth loss. Therefore, when you realize you have gum disease, contact a dentist near you for treatment options like gum surgery in Somerset. Some indicators that you need urgent gum treatment are:

• Bleeding gums
• Sore, swollen, and tender gums
• Reddened gums and mouth sores that do not heal
• Persistent bad breath – also called halitosis
• Spaces between teeth
• Black triangles at the base of teeth
• Exposed tooth roots
• Receding gums – when your gums begin to pull away from your teeth.
• Shaky teeth
• Tooth loss

Although dental crowns can correct many dental flaws, they are not the ideal treatment for gum disease. Porcelain crowns will not stop your gums from receding or the infection from spreading. Therefore, when you visit your dentist, the first order of business will be to treat the underlying infection. Besides, your qualification for dental crowns largely depends on the stage of gum disease. Advanced gum disease, also called periodontitis, automatically disqualifies you from getting dental crowns. However, if you are at an early stage of gum infection, you can receive treatment for your gums and still get dental crowns.

Alternative Treatments for Gum Disease

Only a comprehensive dental exam can help determine whether you are suitable for dental crowns when you visit your dentist. Patients with a mild infection can get dental crowns and proceed with different treatment protocols for gum disease like dental cleanings and prescribed antibiotics. However, severe gum infections merit different treatments, including the following:

• Gum surgery – gum grafts can repair and rebuild damaged soft tissue to restore your gums’ health.
• Root planing and scaling – are procedures for cleaning the base of your teeth to smoothen the roots. The procedures also entail scraping plaque and tartar from tooth surfaces to rid your teeth of bacterial infections.
• Dental implants – to replace your loose teeth that can fall off soon. Instead of dental crowns, invest in a long-term solution for your oral health.
• Bone grafting surgery – to restore damaged bone tissue. Besides, your jawbone’s health is crucial if you want to undergo an implantation procedure to replace your teeth.

Summary

Ultimately, prioritize your oral health above your smile’s aesthetics. Once your dentist ensures that your teeth and gums are in a great state, you can consider other treatment protocols to improve your smile’s appearance.