Crowns

What is a crown?

A crown is a cover for a damaged tooth. It is sculpted to the shape of the original tooth and can strengthen the tooth and restore its appearance. The crown is placed on top of the original tooth, completely covering the area of the tooth that can be seen above the gum line. It's sealed in place with a special cement.

Are dental crowns a good fit for me?

There are a number of reasons Dr. Cat & the Tooth Pediatric Dentistry's knowledgeable dentists might recommend a crown. A crown can cover a strangely-shaped or dark tooth, or a dental implant.

Crowns are more than cosmetic solutions. They can cover and protect a weak or cracked natural tooth. Crowns can strengthen teeth that have been weakened by excessively large fillings or that are in danger of breaking.

Many patients are great candidates for dental crowns, for both cosmetic and restorative reasons. Whether you need a crown to fix the appearance of a tooth or strengthen a weak tooth, a dental crown can protect teeth for years to come.

What type of crown is best for my teeth?

Dental crowns can be constructed from many materials, including:

• Stainless steel
• Porcelain fused to metal

The choice of material depends on multiple factors. For example, stainless steel is often used to make temporary crowns. It's common for dentists to use prefabricated stainless steel crowns to cap children's baby teeth.

Metal crowns are sturdy and able to tolerate the force of chewing and eating, but due to their color, they're commonly used on teeth in the rear of the mouth.

Porcelain fused to metal crowns looks more like natural teeth than metal crowns but have some drawbacks. For instance, the opposing teeth may suffer more wear and tear than they would with other types of crowns. The metal portion of the crown might also be visible as a dark line near the gums.

What should I expect when I get a crown?

A majority of the time, a minimum of two appointments is required to complete a dental crown procedure. During the first appointment, your Dr. Cat & the Tooth Pediatric Dentistry professional will take X-rays to evaluate the condition of the tooth in question.

Next, the dentist will administer anesthesia, then build up or file down the original tooth so that the crown will attach securely. After the tooth is prepared, the dentist will make an impression of your teeth, which a lab will use to manufacture the crown. Dr. Cat will create a temporary crown to protect your tooth until the permanent crown can be placed.

Would you like to learn more about dental crowns? Think you might need a crown replaced? Contact the experienced professionals at Dr. Cat & the Tooth Pediatric Dentistry or make an appointment online.