Dental Crowns | TheSmileDoc

If a tooth has more extensive decay, for esthetic and functional reasons, a dental crown may be the ideal aesthetic and functional restorative solution.

A dental crown is a restoration that completely caps (hence the colloquial term, cap) an existing tooth. It is often made of a ceramic material that is durable and looks natural.

It protects the tooth from recurring decay better than most other types of restorative options. The main disadvantage of the use of crowns is the extensive “preparation” (i.e. reduction in size) of the natural tooth. This is irreversible and means that the tooth will forever need to be covered by a crown.

A dental crown procedure restores the tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance. It makes the tooth stronger and improves the esthetics. They typically don’t require special care over time except regular good oral hygiene.

Reasons you may need a Dental Crowns Procedure:

To cover a large cavity
To cover a tooth that is broken down, damaged or weak
After you had a root canal treatment. This will protect the restored tooth.
To cover a poorly shaped or discolored tooth to improve your smile

Placing a crown can preserve the natural tooth, which is always the goal as preserving the natural teeth helps maintain the adjacent bone structure and stability of the surrounding teeth.

The process starts by taking an impression that will be used to make a model of the teeth and bite. This allows the new crown to be made to look and function like your natural tooth. The tooth will then be prepared, and the decayed areas will be removed. An impression of the prepared tooth will be made so that the final crown will fit properly when it is placed.

While your final restoration is being created, a temporary crown will be placed. Crowns may often last a lifetime with proper care and oral hygiene.

There are four types of crowns:

Porcelain

This type of crown is often used for teeth that are displayed when smiling as they are made from a porcelain-based material that retains the look of your natural teeth.

Porcelain Fused to Metal

These crowns are recognized for their strength and durability while also allowing for a natural-looking restoration.

Gold Alloys

These may be used when extra strength is needed, particularly for patients who grind or clench their teeth at night.

Base Metal Alloys

These are strong and corrosion-resistant and are often used when there is minimal tooth structure available to support the crown restoration.