When one of your teeth has been affected by grinding or decay, the dentist may suggest installing a crown—a cap-like contraption that covers all the enamel above the gum line. The placement of the crown will protect your tooth for years to come, so you can avoid pain and expensive restorative treatments. If you’ve encountered any of the signs below, it might be time to get a crown.

3 Signs You Need a Dental Crown

1. Pain When Biting Down

If you’ve recently experienced shooting pains in your gums when chewing food, you need to schedule a dentist appointment. This could indicate a crack in one of your teeth, and unlike the bones throughout the rest of your body, it won’t heal on its own. A cracked tooth almost always requires a crown to hold the pieces together—especially if the crack is vertical—so you can continue to chew food and bite down while you sleep without pain.

2. A Large Cavity

If it’s been awhile since your last dental exam, small-scale decay may have expanded into a large cavity, which creates a pit inside your tooth. Even though you can have this cavity filled, larger holes can result in much higher odds of future cracking, as the tooth is essentially broken into parts. Therefore, you might want to have a crown installed after the major cavity is filled to prevent pain and complications down the line.

3. Flat or Worn Away Teeth 

There are many reasons why your teeth may lose their pointed edges or “cusps.” Some people grind their teeth at night or when stressed, eroding the enamel by force. Others experience acid-reflux disease, which wears on teeth like harsh chemicals. Along with making it harder to chew, these issues can eliminate the protective enamel that covers teeth, increasing everyday sensitivity. Luckily, crowns can be used to recreate those sharp cusps, restoring your bite, while blocking pain from hot, cold, or acidic foods.

If you believe you need a crown, schedule a dentist appointment at St. Clair Dental Center. At this Anchorage, AK, office, Dr. Richard Wells Mittelstadt and his team offer a wide range of services, from routine cleanings to the placement of crowns and bridges. To get to the bottom of your oral pain, call (907) 272-9214 to arrange for an appointment. You can also visit the website for more information.