Crowns

As we get a little older, our teeth begin to change and are prone to decay.   There are many possible reasons for this change in your smile.  These reasons can include bruxism (teeth grinding), general decay, cracked fillings, root canals, and many others.  If your tooth is beyond repair with a filling material, we may recommend that the best viable option to save the tooth is a full crown.   The reasons for this type of restoration in a badly damaged tooth are durability, cosmetic appearance, and overall support of the chewing function.

Types of Crowns

If we decide that you are in need of a full crown, there are a few different options for the repair of your tooth.  These options include a full porcelain crown, a porcelain fused to metal or gold crown, or a full gold crown.

All-porcelain crowns maintain a translucency that makes them aesthetically appear just like natural teeth. Unlike metal crowns, all-porcelain crowns can be placed above the gum-line, which is healthier for you, your teeth, your gums and it eliminates the problem of a dark line at the edge of the gums. When you want to improve the appearance of your smile, all-porcelain crowns are the natural-looking choice.

Metal Crowns don’t involve removing as much tooth structure as other types of crowns do and tooth wear is kept to an absolute minimum. Metal crowns don’t wear down easily and they are fairly resistant to biting and chewing. The main drawback to metal crowns is the dark color. Some people find it aesthetically unpleasant. Metal crowns are primarily made of gold alloy, base-metal alloy or other alloys.

We will make the determination as to which of these options is the most appropriate for your situation. You can be comfortable in knowing that your new tooth will be virtually unnoticeable and will flawlessly complement the rest of your smile.

Procedure

When we have decided to go ahead with a full crown restoration, we will set aside 2-3 appointments for the entire process.  Although the majority of crowns are completed in two visits, there is sometimes a need for a third visit to ensure a proper fit.

The procedure begins with the removal of all decay in the tooth.  Once we have removed the decay, we will take an impression of the tooth.  This impression will be sent to our lab where your new restoration will be crafted.  While this new tooth is created, we will provide you with a temporary restoration.  Our temporary restorations will resemble your natural teeth so that you can continue with your daily life without worrying about a missing or incompatible tooth.

During your second visit to the office, we will proceed with the placement of your final restoration.  This crown will be fitted comfortably into the mouth. We will make every effort to ensure that the new tooth feels exactly like one of your natural teeth.  The final step in the process is to cement the crown into your mouth, leaving you with a beautifully restored smile.

Crown as it is delivered from our lab.