Crowns
A dental crown could be the answer if you want to restore flawed, damaged, or decayed teeth!
Why Use a Dental Crown?
A crown may be necessary if a tooth is too damaged for a filling, badly broken or cracked, or badly worn down. In the case of a filling, sometimes there is too much damage to the tooth structure to which a filling will not securely adhere. Also, instead of pulling out a damaged tooth, we can use a crown to rebuild it to its original shape and size.
Types of Crowns
Crowns are available in various variations of materials. There are three types commonly used:
- Gold crowns: Compared to other types of crowns, gold requires the least amount of preparation for the existing tooth, allowing us to maintain the most natural tooth structure. Gold crowns will not chip and most likely will not cause wear on other teeth. The gold material is highly workable, allowing a secure fit between the crown and the existing tooth. Some people, however, may not like its distinctive appearance.
- All porcelain or all ceramic crowns: All porcelain or all ceramic crowns look very natural and are often used on the front teeth. Sometimes, the dentist may need to prepare the tooth significantly (which leaves less of the existing tooth), too. However, this is a popular choice for dental crowns.
- Porcelain-over-metal crowns: Porcelain-over-metal crowns balance excellent esthetics and durability. They are natural-looking and are fused to a metal base, allowing an exceptionally durable and strong bond. With this type of crown, however, a thin, black line might appear where the crown meets the gum (because of the metal underneath).
After discussing your options with one of our dentists, you’ll decide which type of crown is best for you!
Crown Procedure
The procedure and steps depend on each patient’s case. A root canal may be performed first if a tooth is highly damaged. Otherwise, we will prepare the tooth by filing it down to ensure a proper crown fit on top of it and between the adjacent teeth.
Impressions are taken and used as a model to create the new crown. The lab typically takes two weeks to prepare the new, permanent crown. In the meantime, you will wear a temporary crown. During your second visit, the temporary crown will be removed, and the new crown will be permanently cemented. With proper care, crowns can last from ten to fifteen years or longer.
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