Dental Crowns
Porcelain Crowns
A dental crown (or cap) is a restoration that covers an entire tooth surface, returning it to its original shape. Sometimes teeth are too badly broken down to rebuild with a filling. In these cases, a filling would break if attempted. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure when a filling or other types of restorations will not provide a stable
There are several types of dental crowns. Porcelain crowns (tooth colored crowns) are the most popular, as they most closely mimic the appearance of natural teeth. They are highly durable and will last many years. Porcelain crowns are custom made to match the shape, size, and color of your teeth. They aid in giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile.
Crowns may need to be used in the case of broken or fractured teeth, aesthetic changes, teeth with extensive decay, existing large fillings, and broken fillings.
A crown usually requires two visits to the dental office to be completed. At the first visit, the tooth is numbed. The doctor will remove any existing decay or sharp edges from the tooth. The tooth will be shaped so a crown will be able to fit where the missing or damaged tooth structure was. A highly accurate impression will be made of the tooth to communicate its size and shape with a dental laboratory technician so they may custom fabricates your crown. A mold will also be made
The temporary crown will be removed at the second visit, and the permanent crown will be tried in. The dentist will evaluate your new crown for proper spacing and make sure the bite is accurate. Radiographs may be taken to help verify proper fit of the crown.
You will be given care instructions and encouraged to have regular dental visits to check your new dental crown.