A dental crown, more commonly known as a “cap”, is used to protect and restore teeth which are badly damaged due to late stage tooth decay, fractures and cracks. It also protects teeth that have had root canals.
A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Encasing the entire visible portion of the tooth, a crown is used when a tooth is likely to break or is too damaged to be corrected with a traditional filling.
Here is an overview of the commonly used crown materials:
The dentist will make a material recommendation based on the unique needs of every patient.
Porcelain – durable and closely resembles natural teeth color. There are many different porcelain materials on the market. Our dentist will discuss what type of porcelain is best for your clinical situation.
Gold – durable and long-lasting, typically made of a metal alloy containing gold. Commonly recommended for restoring teeth that are under heavy biting forces such as molars.
Crowns usually take 2 appointments:
At the first appointment (usually 2 hours in length), our dentist will remove any diseased portions of your tooth and then carefully prepare your tooth to receive a crown. An impression of the area will be sent to our dental technician so that they can fabricate your crown. Our dentist will then prepare a temporary crown for you to wear to protect the tooth in the interim.
Two weeks later, you will return to have your custom crown placed (usually 30 minutes in length). The dentist will check the appearance, fit and bite of the crown prior to placement. Once the fit of the crown has been approved, your dentist will then permanently bond it to your tooth.