What are Dental Crowns ?

Dental crowns are used to restore the function, health and appearance of natural teeth. They may be placed over a chipped or damaged tooth, or they may be used to prevent further damage to decayed or chipped teeth, to cover a dental implant, to anchor a dental bridge, or to improve the aesthetic quality of discolored or misshapen teeth. In some cases, a crown might be placed on a baby tooth, but only if the tooth is damaged to the extent it cannot be filled or the potential for tooth decay is very high.

At Advanced Dentistry, we offer a range of options to suit your distinct dental needs. Based on your needs and budget, we will help you select the right kind of dental crown for you. Options include:

All-resin:

All-resin crowns tend to be more affordable than other options, but also are more susceptible to wear and damage

All-porcelain:

Also referred to as all-ceramic dental crowns, all-porcelain crowns appear very natural in color and are often recommended for highly visible teeth

Porcelain-fused-to-metal:

These crowns can be made to match your teeth, creating a very natural-looking smile. One drawback, however, is that porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns cause greater wear on teeth than metal or resin crowns, and the metal can show through if one’s gums recede. The part of the crown made from porcelain is also not as durable as other materials, increasing likelihood of chips and cracks over time.

Stainless steel:

Stainless steel crowns are prefabricated and often used to temporarily protect teeth until a permanent crown is placed. Most dental crowns used on baby teeth are made of stainless steel as these crowns can be placed in just one visit. Due to its unnatural color, stainless steel crowns are not typically used on visible or front-facing teeth

Metal

: Metal crowns may include gold, silver amalgam and other metal alloys. These types of crowns require less prep work and require minimal damage to a tooth’s natural structure. Metal crowns hold up against damage due to biting and chewing and are more durable than other materials. However, the noticeable colors of metal crowns discourage many from using metal crowns on visible teeth.

How the dental crown is placed:

X-rays may be first taken to determine that the tooth and bone are healthy enough to support the dental crown. If the tooth has decayed or is at risk of infection, a root canal may be performed to correct the issue.

If the patient is a good candidate for a dental crown, the tooth is prepared for placement. A numbing agent is applied to the tooth and gums, then the tooth is filed down. The amount of tooth filed down is dependent on the type of dental crown being placed. If there is too little tooth to support the crown, the tooth can be built back up using a filling material.

Next, impressions are made of the tooth receiving the crown as well as surrounding teeth. A temporary crown is used to protect the tooth, while the permanent custom crown is being created.

At the following appointment, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and place the permanent one. Both fit and color are checked for accuracy prior to cementing the permanent crown in place. Numbing the tooth keeps the patient comfortable throughout the procedure. After the permanent dental crown is cemented in place, we will go over how to properly care for and protect your crown. We will also advise you how to proceed in case any problems arise in the days and weeks following the procedure.

If you suffer from a broken, damaged, or infected tooth, contact our office to see if a dental crown is right for you.