Lifting weights helps to strengthen your muscles; calcium strengthens your bone density. Did you know that at Hibbeln & Kowal in Rochester Hills, MI, you can also strengthen your teeth? Dr. Debra Hibbeln and Dr. Mark Kowal offer crowns as a way of strengthening teeth for a number of their patients. The details of dental crowns are explained here.

What are dental crowns?

Sometimes called "caps," dental crowns are used as a way to restore form and function to a damaged or weakened tooth. Made from porcelain or various types of metals, crowns are hollow on the inside and fit over a natural tooth with a bonding cement to hold them in place. Dental crowns are a tried-and-true method of restoring teeth that have thousands of years of use. According to a reference book by Charles W. Dunn, scientists discovered hollowed out tooth-shaped pieces of gold, ivory and bone from the 8th century B.C. in what is now modern Tuscany. Amazingly enough, gold is still used as a crown material today!

Why do my teeth need crowns?

There are several reasons why your Rochester Hills dentist may recommend a crown. The most common reason is to strengthen a tooth after receiving a large filling or root canal. These treatments can remove enough of the tooth's structure that it can be vulnerable to more damage, so a crown covers the tooth to prevent any further problems. Natural teeth also receive crowns when a bridge is made to replace a missing tooth; the crowns bolster these teeth to keep the bridge stable. Cosmetic flaws, such as discoloration from medication, might also warrant the use of a crown to restore the appearance of the tooth.

You can be sure that at Hibbeln & Kowal, you'll receive "the royal treatment" when getting a crown or any other dental procedure. Contact our office in Rochester Hills, MI to learn more or schedule an appointment.