The majority of adults get their teeth cleaned. According to the CDC, 64% have visited a dentist's office for an exam or cleaning in the past year. The other 36% are likely to be candidates for a dental crown, though things can happen to people who are diligent about regular dental visits. Here are three signs that you may need one yourself.

1. You Had a Root Canal

When you have a root canal procedure, which is because a cavity reaches your pulp and makes it inflamed, a dentist will drill and remove the pulp. As a result, your tooth is going to be dead. To protect this tooth, your dentist will put on a dental crown.

2. You Have a Very Large Cavity

There are times when you may have a cavity so large that if your dentist drilled in and did a filling, the filling may just be too large for your tooth. Instead, the dentist will remove the cavity and ensure your tooth is perfectly clean before putting the crown on top of it to protect it.

3. You're Getting a Bridge

Do you have a missing tooth? Instead of a single dental implant, your dentist may want to do a bridge. This is when a crown anchors a fake tooth and makes your smile look natural again. They may put a crown over a healthy tooth and fill the gap with a pontic, or a fake tooth.

There are a few other reasons you may choose a dental crown, such as a cracked or fractured tooth or even discolored teeth. All of them are valid reasons. Typically, you'll need two visits to get a crown. First, the dentist will take measurements and note the color you want for your crown. Then they will give you a temporary one to wear while the permanent one is made. Then, they will bond it to your tooth with permanent cement. The crown will act like a natural tooth, but just be careful with what you eat - no hard foods. Then you can enjoy a great smile again.

Do you need to see a dentist for a dental crown or other dental service? We're here to help you have the best oral health possible. Contact our team at Tolhurst Dentists to see what we can do for you. We work with all kinds of insurance, so reach out today!