Restorations

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a restoration that covers or caps a tooth, restoring it to its normal size and shape while strengthening it and improving its appearance. Crowns are necessary when the tooth is broken down to the point where a filling won't be effective.

A dental crown can be used to:

• Hold a cracked tooth together to prevent further damage
• Cover and support a tooth with a large filling where only a little of the original tooth is left
• Attach a bridge
• Protect a weak tooth from breaking
• Restore a broken tooth
• Cover a discolored or misshapen tooth
• Cover a dental implant

What is the dental crown procedure like?

Before we put in a dental crown, we first have to prepare your tooth. We will remove part of the tooth so the crown can fit in securely and comfortably. The area around your tooth will be numbed throughout the procedure with a local anesthetic.

After the tooth is prepared, we will make an impression of your teeth and gums using a paste or putty. This will be sent to a laboratory to make your custom crown, which usually takes 2 to 3 weeks. You will be given a temporary dental crown until your permanent crown is ready.

Finally, the temporary crown is removed and the new one is cemented onto the tooth.

What are the different types of dental crowns available?

There are several different methods of crown restoration, each using a different crown material.

• Metal crowns are made entirely of a metal alloy that may include gold, platinum, palladium, or other elements. Compared with other kinds of crowns, metal crowns preserve more of the tooth structure. They withstand biting and chewing forces well and rarely chip or break. The biggest drawback of metal crowns is the metallic color.

• Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns can be color-matched to your teeth. Second only to all-ceramic crowns in appearance, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns look like normal teeth. However, the metal underlying the crown's porcelain can create a dark line. PFM crowns tend to wear down opposing teeth more than metal crowns. The crown's porcelain portion can also chip or break.

• All-resin crowns are the least expensive type of dental crown. The drawback is that they are more prone to chips and fractures than other crowns and tend to wear down over time.

• All-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns provide the best natural color of all the dental crowns. They are not as strong as PFM or gold crowns, and they may wear down opposing teeth more than metal or resin crowns. Because they are the most cosmetically pleasing, they are usually used for the front teeth.

What are the potential problems patients may experience after getting a dental crown?

You may experience increased sensitivity immediately after the procedure, particularly if the crowned tooth still has a nerve in it. For sensitivity to heat and cold, you may want to try toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Pain or sensitivity from biting down usually means that the crown is too high on the tooth. If this is the case, we will be able to fix the problem.

Porcelain crowns may chip. Resin can be used to repair the remaining crown. If the chipping is extensive, the entire crown may need to be replaced.

Dental crowns sometimes become loose if the cement washes out from underneath. Bacteria can then leak in and cause decay. If your crown feels loose, contact our office.

In some cases, a dental crown may fall off entirely. If this happens, contact us immediately so we can walk you through the proper maintenance of your teeth and crown until you are able to come in for an appointment. We may be able to replace the crown; if not, a new crown will be made.

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