Crowns & Bridges
Created in Cosmetic & General Dentistry
Crowns
Decayed, broken, and missing teeth affect your oral health and your self-confidence. When a tooth has suffered structural or cosmetic damage, a dental crown can restore a tooth’s function and appearance.
A crown is a custom-made “cap” that covers the entire visible surface of a tooth. Your dentist might recommend a crown to:
Strengthen and protect a tooth if extensive decay hasn’t left enough healthy tooth structure for a traditional filling
Protect a cracked, broken, or brittle tooth from further damage
Restore and reinforce a tooth after a root canal procedure
Cover a deeply discolored or irregularly shaped tooth
Complete a dental implant procedure
Serve as an anchor for a dental bridge
Most crown placements require two appointments. During the first visit, tooth preparation includes reshaping the top and sides of the tooth so the crown fits comfortably. If too much healthy tooth structure has been lost, the dentist builds up the tooth with filling material so that it will support a crown securely.
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How a Dental Crown Is Made and Placed
An impression or a computer model is made of the prepared tooth, and a temporary crown, typically made of composite resin, is put in place to protect the tooth while the finished crown is fabricated at a dental lab. Every crown is custom-designed to make sure it fits comfortably, aligns with the surrounding teeth, and doesn’t interfere with bite or jaw movement.
At a second visit, the dentist puts the finished crown in place and makes any needed adjustments to ensure that it fits properly before bonding it to the tooth. When the placement is ideal, the crown is secured in place using a special dental cement.
