Dental Crowns
If you have one or more teeth that have been compromised in some way, the dentist may recommend having a dental crown placed. Dental crowns are essential for replacing broken down or fractured teeth, or for teeth that have received a root canal. A dental crowns look and feel like regular teeth and they are incredibly long-lasting and durable.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is fixed prosthetic devices that are cemented onto existing teeth or implants. A crown is used to cover a tooth that has been previously damaged. They are usually placed on top of an abutment, which is a filed down portion of tooth that will act as the base for the new crown. For patients with implants, an implant abutment will house the crown once the implant has fully healed.
A dental crown is created specifically for you in a dental lab and will replace a missing tooth, or teeth, creating a seamless and beautiful smile. They are designed to look and function like your natural teeth.
When is it needed?
Crowns are recommended to patients who have had a tooth compromised in some way. Patients who have received a root canal will often be told to have a crown placed simply because the lack of nerve within the tooth compromises its integrity. Others may need a crown because a tooth has cracked, broken or fractured beyond the point of routine repair. Crowns look like real teeth and help to restore your full smile and are extremely durable. With proper care and dental hygiene a dental crown can last for many years.
The Dental Crown procedure
The crown procedure is quick, easy and incredibly convenient. You will come into the office and the dentist will begin filing down and smoothing the damaged tooth to prepare for the crown to be placed. Impressions will be taken to send off to the lab and you will go home with a temporary crown. Once the new crown comes into the office, you’ll arrive to have the temporary crown removed and the permanent crown placed using dental cement. The crown will then be filed down to be more comfortable and you can be on your way. For implant patients, the implant will need to heal fully before a crown can be placed, but the procedure is similar to those who need to have an abutment filed down. The procedure is incredibly common within the dental office and is an essential part of maintaining a full, beautiful and healthy smile.
