DENTAL CROWNS

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" made of porcelain that is placed over a tooth to help restore its shape, strength, and size. A dental crown can be the right choice to recreate the appearance and function of a tooth damaged by decay or trauma.

The crown replaces the external portion of the tooth down to the gums to help preserve the appearance of the patient's smile. Our dental team may recommend a crown to:

• Cover a dental implant
• Restore a broken or worn tooth
• Protect a tooth, weakened from decay, from breaking
• Hold a dental bridge in place
• Cover a misshapen or discolored tooth
• Support a tooth with a large filling
• Reinforce a tooth treated using root canal therapy

A crown is a custom-made covering that fits over an original tooth that is either decayed, damaged, or cracked. Crowns are made of a variety of different materials such as porcelain, gold, zirconia, or a mix of these materials. 

The treatment plan for a patient receiving a crown usually involves: 

I. Numbing the tooth to remove the decay in or around it

2. Re-sculpturing the tooth to provide an ideal fit for the crown

3. Making a physical or digital impression of your teeth to create the custom crown

4. Making a temporary crown out of acrylic resin and fitting it to the tooth while the custom crown is being made

5. Removing the temporary crown and fitting the custom-made one onto the tooth

6. Ensuring that the crown has the proper look and fit, and cementing it into place

New technologies have greatly reduced the time needed to make strong, natural-looking crowns. Once the procedure is completed, proper care should be taken to ensure the crown remains in good condition and the teeth and gums are healthy. Given proper care, your crowns can last a lifetime!

Most people are ideal candidates for a crown. This dental procedure can improve the appearance of a damaged tooth while also restoring the tooth's natural function. After a dental crown is placed, most patients are able to enjoy chewing without pain and to smile with confidence again.

Sometimes a Dental Crown can be completed in a 2 hour appointment here at our office.

The CEREC system has revolutionized the dental field by meeting the needs of our patients more conveniently. CEREC Technology can design, fabricate, and place a ceramic restoration in just one visit!

This simple process only takes four steps! First, the decay or old filling is removed and then, the teeth are prepared to be digitally photographed by a 3-D camera, which eliminates those messy, cumbersome traditional impressions. Next, computer-aided design (CAD) software is used to design and create a customized restoration specifically to closely match your teeth and meet your specific dental needs. Finally, the restoration will be attached to the tooth and checked for position, placement, and bite function. When you leave, you already have your permanent restoration — there is no need for temporary or follow-up appointments!

CEREC holds several advantages over conventional restoration systems, including:

• Your restoration is started and completed on the same appointment — no wait times, no temporary crowns, no return visits, no hassle!
• The entire process is usually completed in less than 2 hours
• Less need for local anesthetic and fewer shots.
• All CEREC restorations are made from natural-looking, tooth-colored porcelain material that is metal-free, very bio-compatible, and plaque-resistant.
• In many cases, healthier tooth structure can be saved, since the restoration can be used in place of a full crown.

Other times Dental Crowns are sent to our lab and will need to be completed in two appointments. The first appointment involves the preparation of the tooth and fabrication of a temporary crown, which is worn until the final crown is made.

An impression of your teeth is also made at this first appointment, which is used in the making of the final crown. The process usually takes about two weeks. At the second appointment, the temporary crown is removed, and the tooth is cleaned before the final crown is cemented into place.

Most crowns last between 5 and 15 years. It depends on the wear and tears the dental crown is exposed to and if a patient takes care of the crown with regular brushing and flossing. A crown should be treated just like your natural teeth, so regular cleanings and checkups are important!