DENTAL CROWNS

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A Dental crown (popularly called a cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth’s surface, restoring it to its original shape, size and function. A dental crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. 

Crowns may be needed for:

• Restoration of a Broken or Fractured tooth
• Cosmetic Enhancement
• Restoration of teeth with extensive decay or large/fractured fillings that are breaking down. Usually, a crown is recommended when there is insufficient healthy tooth structure left after removal of decay and/or an old or broken filling.
• Teeth that have had root canal treatments done.

Dental crowns are made and customized in size, shape, and color to match your natural teeth. This is done to restore full functionality to your teeth and to provide optimal cosmetic results for your smile. 

The procedure will usually take place over the course of two appointments. The first appointment will consist of taking several highly accurate measurements of the tooth either with a 3D scanner or an impression of the tooth involved. These molds will be used to help create both your finalized porcelain crown, and a temporary crown. Once the molds have been taken, your porcelain crown will be custom-created in a dental laboratory over the course of approximately two weeks. During this time, you will wear a temporary crown. In preparation for the temporary crown, the dentist will numb your tooth, and clean any decay. Your tooth will be shaped to properly fit the crown.

At your second appointment, the temporary crown will be removed. The doctor will prepare your tooth for the final crown by carefully cleaning your tooth again. The new crown will be carefully placed to ensure that full functionality will be restored to your mouth.