A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.
Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain (tooth colored crown) are the most popular, because they resemble your natural teeth. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color or your teeth giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile. However, thanks to the latest technology in dentistry, if you are having a tooth crown made today it could be an all porcelain crown. To have enough strength to withstand biting forces, porcelain crowns always used to be built upon a metal core. If you have ever noticed a dark blue line at the edge of a crown, now you know what caused it -- the dark metal inside the porcelain.
New breakthroughs in adhesives and stronger porcelain materials now make it possible to make crowns entirely out of porcelain, which can then be bonded to the teeth. All porcelain crowns maintain a translucency that makes it hard to tell them from natural teeth. Without metal, the problem of a dark line at the edge of the gum is eliminated. This allows us to place the edge of the crown at the gum line, which is healthier for the tooth and gums.
When you want to improve your smile, all porcelain crowns are a beautiful and natural looking choice.
Reasons for crowns:
What does getting a crown involve?
A crown procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking highly accurate molds (or impressions) that will be used to create your custom crown. A mold will also be used to create a temporary crown which will stay on your tooth for a few weeks until your new crown is returned from the dental laboratory.
While the tooth is numb, the dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any decay and shaping the surface to properly fit the crown. Once these details are accomplished, your temporary crown will be placed with temporary cement and your bite will be checked to ensure you are biting properly.
At your second appointment your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and your new crown will be carefully placed to ensure the spacing and bite are accurate.
You will be given care instructions and encouraged to have regular dental visits to check your new crown.