Dental Crowns

When is a dental crown needed?

Crowns are recommended for teeth that have severe fractures or more extensive decay. For fillings to function properly, there needs to be sufficient tooth structure for retention and support. If sufficient tooth structure is not present, it is prudent to cover the tooth completely with a crown for protection and utilize cement as the retention force.

What is the process for having a tooth restored with a crown?

Generally, the tooth is placed under anesthesia. All decay and old filling material are removed. In addition, some tooth reduction is necessary to provide space for the crown. In certain cases, material may be added to the newly prepped tooth for stability. This is referred to as a build-up. After the prep work is completed, the tooth will be scanned with an intraoral camera. This will initiate a crown making process which takes place in the clinic. Patients will often read or do errands during the fabrication of the crown. Within one to two hours the crown is cemented to the prepped tooth permanently which completes the process.

What type of material are crowns composed of?

Most crowns being placed in this clinic are made from porcelain. In certain cases, porcelain baked over metal or even full metal (gold) coverage may be recommended.