Crowns

Over time our teeth begin to weaken and become more

susceptible to problems such as decay, cracks, discoloration and

others. If you feel your smile isn’t what it once was, crowns can

help you recover your smile. If your dentist notices that a tooth

is decayed or seems weakened/cracked a crown may be

necessary to make sure that there are no additional problems

with the tooth. In cases like this a filling or bonding will not be

sufficient.

Crowns can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or

a full gold crown. To maintain a natural look and feel a

porcelain finished crown is best, as it can be matched to the

shade of your other teeth. This will allow it to blend in and

appear just like one of your natural teeth.

The process of installing a crown takes 2-3 visits to the dentist.

On the first visit the tooth will be reshaped by filing down the

enamel so that the crown can be placed over it. You will be

given a local anesthetic before this part of the procedure so that

you do not experience any discomfort. Once the tooth has been

reshaped, a mold will be taken of that tooth and the surrounding

teeth. This mold will be sent to a dental lab so that your new

crown can be made so that it fits in the spot created for it and

looks the same relative to the surrounding teeth. Before leaving,

your dentist will fit you with a temporary crown until your

permanent crown is ready.

The crown takes about 2-3 weeks to be returned to your dentist.

At this time you will have another appointment to place and fit

the permanent crown. You will again have a local anesthetic to

numb the area and the tooth will be placed using a cement to

ensure the tooth sets in place. When you look in the mirror, you

will see your old smile back. Crowns are durable and will

usually last about 10-15 years. You should care for it as you

would any of your other teeth with regular brushing and

flossing. Call us today if you would like to learn more about

how crowns can help restore your smile.