OUR SERVICES
Crowns
A crown is a cover that is put over your tooth to restore it to its normal function and shape. Teeth are sometimes crowned to restore their function and sometimes to improve the way you look. You may need a crown if you have a cavity that is too large for a filling or a tooth that has been worn down or cracked or weakened. Crowns are often used to protect a tooth after a root canal. We also use crowns to improve your smile by covering teeth that are badly shaped or discolored.
Crowns can be made from a variety of different materials, including ceramic, composite resin, porcelain, and porcelain fused to metal. There are several factors to consider when determining which type to use, such as the tooth’s function and location, the condition of the gum tissue around the tooth, the color or shade of the tooth, the amount of tooth that shows when you smile, and your preference.
It usually takes two visits to complete treatment, as there are several steps involved. At the first visit, we will prepare your tooth for the crown. We remove the outer portion of your tooth to make room for the crown. This will also remove any decay or damage. If additional tooth structure is needed we can build up the core of the tooth to hold the crown. After the tooth has been reshaped to receive the crown we will make an impression of your tooth to be used when making the crown. The impression allows the lab to create a crown that fits perfectly on the newly created core and also with the surrounding teeth and bite. A temporary crown will be placed over the tooth to cover and protect it until the permanent crown is ready, usually within two weeks.
You should use care to avoid sticky, chewy food and minimize using the side of your mouth with the temporary crown. You should also slide, rather than lift out, dental floss to avoid pulling off the temporary crown.
Once the permanent crown is ready we will have you back into the office to place it. Sometimes a local anesthetic will be used to numb your tooth and the new crown will be cemented into place.
A newly crowned tooth can be sensitive, especially to heat and cold, immediately after the procedure. A settling period is not uncommon for a few weeks.
Crowns can be made from a variety of different materials, including ceramic, composite resin, porcelain, and porcelain fused to metal. There are several factors to consider when determining which type to use, such as the tooth’s function and location, the condition of the gum tissue around the tooth, the color or shade of the tooth, the amount of tooth that shows when you smile, and your preference.
It usually takes two visits to complete treatment, as there are several steps involved. At the first visit, we will prepare your tooth for the crown. We remove the outer portion of your tooth to make room for the crown. This will also remove any decay or damage. If additional tooth structure is needed we can build up the core of the tooth to hold the crown. After the tooth has been reshaped to receive the crown we will make an impression of your tooth to be used when making the crown. The impression allows the lab to create a crown that fits perfectly on the newly created core and also with the surrounding teeth and bite. A temporary crown will be placed over the tooth to cover and protect it until the permanent crown is ready, usually within two weeks.
You should use care to avoid sticky, chewy food and minimize using the side of your mouth with the temporary crown. You should also slide, rather than lift out, dental floss to avoid pulling off the temporary crown.
Once the permanent crown is ready we will have you back into the office to place it. Sometimes a local anesthetic will be used to numb your tooth and the new crown will be cemented into place.
A newly crowned tooth can be sensitive, especially to heat and cold, immediately after the procedure. A settling period is not uncommon for a few weeks.