What Is A Dental Crown?
A dental crown is used to cover the visible area of a severely decayed tooth. After part of the damaged tooth is removed, a crown is securely placed over the remainder of the affected tooth, covering the area above the gum line. Commonly called a cap or caps, crowns are created by a thin coating of ceramic is placed on a metal or porcelain base. Some crowns created for rear teeth may have gold as their metal.
When Are Crowns Necessary?
Dentists recommend crowns after evaluating the condition of a patient’s teeth during an examination. Beyond cosmetic procedures to make a tooth look more attractive, crowns may replace a filling that is defective or deteriorating. Crowns may encase a tooth that has suffered so much that a filling cannot repair it. They also offer support for bridges that close gaps caused by missing teeth. In some cases, crowns are recommended after root canals for teeth that have extensive damage on the root below the gum line.
The Procedure
The process to apply a crown usually takes at least two or more appointments. When a patient visits the dental office for a cleaning and x-rays, the dentist and other members of the treatment team look for signs of damage or deterioration. Crowns require that part of the tooth’s foundation remain intact to serve as an anchor.
The dentist removes any decay and takes an impression of the area during the first visit. The dentist will numb the area first. In most cases, the impression will be used to create a temporary crown and a permanent crown will be installed during a follow-up visit. After inserting the permanent crown, the dentist will ensure it is properly aligned. The dentist may polish or slightly alter the shape of the crown so that it duplicates the bite pattern of the original tooth.
Our Office uses a special coating to minimize discomfort during the “Temporary Phase” & a healing rinse will be given to keep your gums comfortable. The temporary will be shaped and colored to match your existing teeth very closely, and the final crown will be even better.