Dental Crowns

Dental crowns offer a solution to badly damaged, decayed or missing teeth. Crowns are a tooth-shaped cover or cap that is placed on your affected tooth to improve its strength and restore it to its normal size and shape.

Dental crowns are often recommended following a root canal filling to protect the remaining tooth that lost its strength due to the extensive decay and infection. Crowns may also be used to hold together parts of cracked teeth and as a support that holds a bridge in place. Dental crowns can dramatically improve the appearance of your teeth, so you can ask your dentist to use a dental crown for cosmetic purposes to cover your misshapen or badly discolored teeth.

Dental crowns are versatile and can be made of metal, porcelain, or ceramic. Metals include gold alloy, other alloys or a base-metal alloy (nickel or chromium). The all-metal or porcelain fused to metal crowns are stronger and are better for back teeth. All-porcelain crowns are the most attractive, esthetic and natural-looking dental restorations available. Beautifully translucent and made with the finest materials, porcelain crowns are considered to be the most aesthetically pleasing as they are easily matched in color to the surrounding teeth.

Preparing a tooth for a crown usually requires two office visits: the first visit is the examining and preparation stage and the second visit involves placement of the permanent crown. Before the process of making your crown is begun, your dentist will anesthetize the gum tissue around your tooth. Next, the dentist will shave thin amount off your existing tooth to avoid oversized teeth. The dentist will also reshape your tooth into a form upon which a cap can easily fit. After reshaping the tooth, your dentist will make a replica of your tooth using impression paste or putty. The replica or mold is then sent to a dental laboratory where the crown is manufactured. The crown is usually returned to your dentist's office in 2 to 3 weeks. If your crown is made of porcelain, the dentist will choose a shade close to the color of the surrounding teeth. After that, a temporary crown is placed on your tooth to cover and protect it while the permanent crown is being made. At your second visit, your temporary crown will be removed and the permanent crown will be fitted and cemented over your original tooth. You shouldn't feel any discomfort or sensitivity after a crown is placed.

Usually, crowns last at least 7 years, but in many cases they last much longer, up to 40 years.

Dental Glossary Presented by: Michael C. Fling DDS

We present this glossary of Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry, High Tech Dentistry and Branded Dentistry procedures as an educational too.

Please note: not all procedures are preformed by our practice.

Branded Dentistry		High Tech Dentistry		Cosmetic Dentistry
Brite Smile Diagnodent Isolite Zoom Whitening General Dentistry Dental Hygiene Dental Sealants Dentures Orthodontics Periodontics		Air Abrasion Digital Imaging Digital Xrays Intra Oral Camera Laser Dentistry Laser Teeth Whitening Periodontal Therapy		Dental Bonding Dental Crowns Dental implants Dentistry introduction Endodontics Extreme Makeover Full Mouth Rehabilitation Gum Contouring Inlays and Onlays Neuromuscular Dentistry Non Metal Fillings Porcelain Veneers Sedation / Sleep Dentistry Smile Design Smile Makeover Teeth Whitening TMJ Dentistry