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 A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth --- covering the entire tooth to restore its shape, strength or improve its appearance.
A variety of materials are used, including full porcelain, porcelain fused to metal and gold.
Though they greatly improve the appearance of a tooth, crowns are more than just cosmetic devises. They are called for in a variety of situations:
- Salvage a tooth that has been badly decayed
- Restore a missing or damaged tooth
- Support and protect week teeth
- Used in conjunction with a root canal procedure or in the replacement of a cracked filling (which can often cause unexplained pain)
- Anchor other dental corrections by providing the necessary framework to secure bridges, dentures or cover a dental implant.
Traditional vs. Same Day Crowns
With our advanced technology, we offer two options for patients choosing a crown restoration. (Traditional Crowns and Cerec Same Day Crowns)
The Traditional Crown Procedure requires two dental office visits. The first visit involves examining the tooth, removing decay, taking impressions for the laboratory and preparing the tooth. At this time a custom temporary crown is placed on the tooth to stabilize it during the process of fabricating the permanent crown at the laboratory (1-2 weeks).
The second office visit is when the temporary restoration is gently removed and the permanent crown is placed, cemented and fitted.
About Temporary Crowns
- After your temporary crown is fitted, you may experience some tooth sensitivity or gum soreness. This should subside.
- Try to avoid sticky foods or gum.
- If the temporary crown comes off, please call us so we can re-cement it. This is important to prevent further damage to your prepared tooth. Push it back into place until you can get in.
- If it feels high, come in so we can adjust it and prevent bruising of your tooth’s nerve.
- Brush your teeth as you normally do.
The Cerec Same Day Crown
The Cerec Same Day Crown Procedure requires only one visit. Because our advanced Cerec technology allows us to mill your permanent custom porcelain crowns at our own facility, your permanent crown can be made and bonded the same day your tooth is prepared. (Click here to learn more about CEREC technology).
Permanent Crown After-Care
- You may experience some initial minor discomfort and sensitivity. This should subside as your tooth’s nerve heals. Please call us if any problems persist.
- Chew and eat normally.
- Brush and floss normally.
During the placement of your crown, the new restoration was adjusted to fit your occlusion (or bite). If you experience any discrepancy with respect to the fit or bite of your new restoration, please contact the office in order to have the crown adjusted correctly and comfortably.
As one of the most common dental procedures performed today, crowns are used for long lasting correction of major dental problems and are nearly as resistant to fracture as your own teeth. Treatments generally can last for 20-30 years, which is as close to permanent as dental treatment can get.
(For teeth requiring more than a filling, but less than a crown, see inlays/onlays.)
(For a gap where teeth are absent, see bridges.)
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