Crowns Specialist

What is a dental crown?

A crown is a piece of metal, plastic, ceramic, or porcelain that covers a damaged tooth. It is sculpted to the shape of the original tooth and can enhance its strength and appearance. The crown goes over the original tooth and is bonded into place, so the tooth is completely covered, from the gum line up.

Do I need a crown?

There are a variety of reasons the team at Wedgwood Family Dentistry may suggest a crown. A crown can cover a dental implant or stained or worn tooth.

A crown can do more than improve the appearance of a tooth. It can protect and hold together a weak tooth. Crowns can strengthen teeth that are at risk of breaking or that have weakened as a result of large fillings.

Many patients are great candidates for dental crowns, for both cosmetic and restorative reasons. Whether you need a crown to fix the appearance of a tooth or strengthen a weak tooth, a dental crown can protect teeth for years to come.

Are there different kinds of crowns?

Dental crown construction has advanced over the years. Crowns can be fashioned out of many materials, including:

• Stainless steel
• Gold or another alloy
• Porcelain fused to metal
• Resin
• Ceramic

The material used depends on a range of factors. For example, stainless steel is usually the preferred material for temporary crowns. Prefabricated stainless steel crowns are a frequent choice for children who have decayed baby teeth and need crowns.

Metal crowns are strong and able to endure the force of biting and chewing, but due to their color, they're commonly reserved for rear molars.

Porcelain fused to metal crowns looks more like natural teeth than metal crowns but have some drawbacks. For example, the metal portion of the crown might show as a dark line close to the gums. The opposing teeth may also experience more wear than they would with another type of crown.

All-resin crowns are more affordable, which makes them an appealing choice for many patients, but they're also more prone to fractures. All-ceramic crowns are the best choice for men and women with metal allergies.

What's involved with a dental crown procedure?

A dental crown procedure generally requires at least two visits to the dentist. At the first appointment, you'll have X-rays taken so that your dental professional at Wedgwood Family Dentistry can assess the health of the tooth that requires the crown.

Next, your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and its surrounding tissue. The tooth will be filed down or built up so that the crown will fit properly and securely. After that, the dentist will take an impression of your teeth. The impression will be sent to the lab and used to custom-make the crown. Your dentist will create a temporary crown to protect your tooth until the permanent crown can be placed.

To learn more about dental crowns, call Wedgwood Family Dentistry or make an appointment online.