Dental Crowns are an ideal restoration for teeth which have been broken, or have been weakened by decay or a very large filling. Sometimes called “caps”, a dental crown fits over the tooth, adding strenth and beauty. The dental crown, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
Why Dental Crowns?
- To protect a weak tooth (for instance, from decay) from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth
- To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down.
- To replace an existing restoration that covers more than half of the tooth.
- A crown is indicated after root canal therapy to “reinforce” the tooth.
- To cover and support a tooth with a large dental filling when there isn’t enough remaining tooth structure.
- To hold a dental bridge in place
- To cover misshaped or severely discolored teeth
- To cover (restore) a dental implant
- There are three types of materials including: metal, all-porcelain, or a mixture of metal and porcelain.
At Manus Northwestern, our focus is on top quality restorative and cosmetic dentistry. The standard for aesthetic excellence is all ceramic or all porcelain dental crowns. These provide the best natural color match, have the look and strength of natural teeth. Ceramic or porcelain dental crowns are also excellent options for patients who have allergies or sensitivity to metal. All ceramic crowns are the most aesthetic choice for front teeth. Our dentists will recommend the best choice for you to provide you with the best results that are both attractive and long lasting.
treated by Dr. Yudkowsky – see more patient photos
The procedure for dental crowns usually takes place over two appointments. At the first appointment, the dentist will prepare the tooth to the ideal shape for the crown, being very conservative with the amount of natural tooth that is removed. Once the tooth is shaped, the dentist will take an impression of the prepared tooth, one of the opposite jaw and another to mark the way you bite together. The impressions will be given to the technician, along with any other information needed to make the crown. At this first appointment, a provisional dental crown will be fabricated and temporarily cemented. made of plastic will be temporarily cemented. In two weeks, the new dental crown will be fitted and permanently cemented over your prepared tooth. Occasionally, if the tooth is severely damaged from decay or a broken filling, a root canal treatment may be indicated.
Contact our office to schedule your consultation and learn more about dental crowns.
