Everyone wants a beautiful smile, but few people are naturally born with one. Luckily, even if you have weak, discolored and damaged teeth, dental crowns can give you a gorgeous smile. If you are considering getting dental crowns, check out these seven important facts.

They Can Prevent Tooth Loss

Teeth that have become weak from lots of decay, big cracks, large fillings or even a root canal are more likely to shatter when faced with the pressures of daily chewing. Chewing puts stain on the cracks and points where tooth meets filling, but having a crown placed over your tooth protects it. It gives the tooth a solid surface once more, so the pressure is absorbed by the whole tooth equally without any weak spots. This means, unlike veneers, dental crowns can actually strengthen your teeth and make them better, preventing them from being lost or pulled.

They Prevent Some Future Decay

With a crown in place, you don't have to worry as much about tooth decay because the crown acts as a barrier against plaque, tartar and bacteria. You should continue good oral hygiene, however, because the crown doesn't cover your tooth's root. Failure to brush and floss combined with the slight irritation caused by the crowns will cause your gums to recede, this allows bacteria and plaque to attack, creating cavities near the gum line or weakening the bond that holds the crown to your tooth.

There Are Many Options for the Type of Material

There are many different types of dental crowns, but the most popular are metal, all-porcelain and porcelain-fused-to-metal. Metal crowns are the strongest option, but they aren't aesthetically pleasing. For a cosmetically beautiful smile, you'll want all-porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal, which capture the translucence and look of natural teeth. All-porcelain crowns look better because you can sometimes see the metal underneath porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, but all-porcelain crowns aren't as strong. Both can wear down surrounding teeth and crowns if surfaces become rough.

They Are Perfect for Front and Back Teeth

Veneers can only be placed on front teeth because they aren't durable enough for chewing. Crowns, however, are perfect for front and back teeth, but not every type of crown material is good for back teeth. All-porcelain crowns are good for front teeth, and you can have them placed on back teeth if you have a metal allergy, but porcelain-fused-to-metal and metal crowns are best for back teeth.

They Can Be Expensive

Dental crowns aren't cheap, but the price is worth the beautiful results. A porcelain-fused-to-metal crown typically costs about $500 to $1,500 per tooth. Luckily, insurance will cover a portion of the amount. Even if the insurance only covers metal fillings, it should still cover your porcelain crown at a reduced amount. Plus, consider the alternative. If you fail to get a crown, and you end up losing your tooth, the price for a dental implant is significantly more at $4,200.

They Last a Long Time

On the bright side, you get what you pay for because dental crowns can last a long time. With proper oral care, your dental crown can last between five and 15 years, but most dentists strive to do their best to ensure the crown lasts at least 10 years. On the other hand, once it's time to replace the crown, you have to replace it because getting crowns is a permanent option. The dentist must file down your tooth's enamel to hold the crown. Without a crown it is weak and vulnerable.

You don't have to struggle with a smile you don't want. There are many cosmetic dental options available to give you the perfect smile. For more information about dental crowns or another cosmetic dental option, contact a dentist in your area today.