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Crowns
A crown, or cap, is a restoration that covers a tooth. While restoring the tooth to normal size and shape, a crown also strengthens and improves the appearance of the tooth.
An Illustrated View
1. Tooth before.
2. Crown placed over prepared tooth.
3. Crown in place.
Crowns FAQ
Why is a dental crown needed?
- Protect a weak tooth
- Bind parts of a cracked tooth
- Restore a broken tooth or worn down tooth
- Conceal and support a tooth with a large filling
- Conceal a misshaped or discolored tooth
- Attach a bridge while replacing a missing tooth
- Cover a dental implant
What types of crowns are available?
Crowns are all-porcelain, porcelain with metal substructure, or gold. The construction often depends on the location of the tooth being restored and/or the patient's bite.
All-porcelain crowns are a good choice for front teeth because they provide the best natural color match. Although suitable for people with metal allergies, they are not as strong as porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can be color matched to your adjacent teeth, making them a good choice for front and back parts of the mouth. The porcelain portion may chip, and wear to opposing teeth occurs more with this crown type than with metal crowns.
In areas where esthetics are not a major concern (i.e. back molars), metal crowns are a good choice. Our dentists use high noble metals (e.g. gold or palladium) and stray from base metals (e.g. nickel or chromium). Less tooth structure is removed when installing metal crowns, and wear to opposing teeth is minimal once installed. Metal crowns withstand biting and chewing forces well; they rarely chip or break.
How many appointments does it take to get a crown made?
Crowning generally involves two appointments. The first appointment - shaping the tooth, taking impressions, and making a temporary crown - is typically the longer of the two appointments. The second appointment - ensuring a proper fit, verifying a natural bite, and permanently cementing the crown on your tooth - is typically the shorter of the two appointments.
What problems could develop with a dental crown?
Discomfort/Sensitivity – As the anesthesia wears off, your crowned tooth may be sensitive. Also, a crown that is too high on a tooth may cause pain or sensitivity when you bite down.
Chipped crown – Porcelain crowns sometimes chip. Small chips are smoothed off or left as is. Extensive chips result in the crown needing to be replaced.
Loose crown – Sometimes the cement washes out from under the crown, allowing the crown to become loose. Bacteria can then leak in and cause decay to the tooth.
Crown falls off – You should immediately contact your dentist if your crown falls off. Dental adhesive or temporary tooth cement (sold in stores for this purpose) can be used to fix the crown. Your dentist can re-cement your crown, but sometimes a new crown is made.
For any and all problems, call your dentist - he or she can easily fix the problem.
How long does a dental crown last?
This lifespan depends on the amount of “wear and tear” the crown experiences, how well oral hygiene habits are followed, and your personal mouth-related habits. Avoid grinding or clenching your teeth, chewing ice, biting your fingernails, and using your teeth to open packages.
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