Dental Crowns
Dental Crowns are an ideal restoration for teeth which have been broken, or have been weakened by decay or a very large filling. Sometimes called “caps”, a dental crown fits over the tooth, adding strength and beauty.
There are three types of materials including: metal, all-porcelain, or a mixture of metal and porcelain. The dental crown, when cemented into place, fully encases the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
Why Dental Crowns?
- To protect a weak tooth (for instance, from decay) from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth
- To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down
- To replace an existing restoration that covers more than half of the tooth
- A crown is indicated after root canal therapy to “reinforce” the tooth
- To cover and support a tooth with a large dental filling when there isn’t enough remaining tooth structure
- To hold a dental bridge in place
- To cover misshaped or severely discolored teeth
- To cover (restore) a dental implant
All ceramic or all porcelain dental crowns provide the best natural color match, and have the look and strength of natural teeth. Ceramic or porcelain dental crowns are also excellent options for patients who have allergies or sensitivity to metal.
The procedure for dental crowns usually takes place over two appointments. The procedure typically follows these steps:
- The dentist prepares the tooth to the ideal shape for the crown, being very conservative with the amount of natural tooth that is removed
- Once the tooth is shaped, the dentist takes an impression of the prepared tooth, one of the opposite jaw and another to mark the way you bite together
- The impressions are given to the technician, along with any other information needed to make the crown
- A provisional dental crown will be fabricated and temporarily cemented
- In two weeks, the new dental crown is fitted and permanently cemented over your prepared tooth
- Occasionally, if the tooth is severely damaged from decay or a broken filling, a root canal treatment may be indicate
Contact our office to schedule your consultation and learn more about dental crowns.