A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases part or all of the tooth surface, restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.
Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain (tooth colored crown) are the most popular. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size and color of your teeth giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile. Due to the fact that our office uses no products that contain metal, all of our crowns are fabricated from porcelain and most of them can be done in one appointment with our CEREC cad/cam technology.
Reasons for crowns:
- Broken or fractured teeth.
- Cosmetic enhancement.
- Decayed teeth.
- Fractured fillings.
- Large fillings.
- Tooth had a root canal.
What does getting a crown involve?
Crowns may cover all of the biting surface of the tooth (full crown) or only a part of the biting surface (3/4 crown or onlay.) A crown procedure occasionally will require two appointments but most of our crown procedures can be done in one appointment with our CEREC technology. These impressions can many times be done with the CEREC three dimensional camera thus eliminating all of the impression material that would traditionally be placed in your mouth. While the tooth is numb, Dr. Norton will prepare the tooth by removing any decay and shaping the surface so that the crown can be properly sized and created to exactly fit your tooth. The crown is then designed on a computer and sent to a machine where the crown is fabricated from a solid block of porcelain. It is then bonded onto your tooth and you leave with the real thing—no temporary crowns involved. If we are unable to use CEREC technology your first appointment will include taking highly accurate molds (or impressions) that will be used to create your custom crown. A mold will also be used to create a temporary crown which will stay on your tooth for approximately two weeks until your new crown is fabricated by a dental laboratory. Once these details are accomplished, your temporary crown will be placed with temporary cement and your bite will be checked to ensure you are biting properly.
At your second appointment your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and your new crown will be carefully placed to ensure the spacing and bite are accurate.
You will be given care instructions and encouraged to have regular dental visits to check your new crown.
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