Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are custom-made, tooth-shaped caps that fully cover and encase a damaged or weakened tooth, restoring its strength, shape, size, and appearance. They serve as a protective barrier, extending the lifespan of a tooth that might otherwise be lost. Crowns are commonly recommended in various situations, such as protecting a tooth after a root canal procedure, holding together parts of a cracked tooth, restoring a severely worn-down tooth, covering a tooth with a large filling when there isn't enough natural tooth structure remaining, or improving the aesthetics of a discolored or misshapen tooth. They also serve as anchors for dental bridges.

The process typically involves two visits. During the first visit, the tooth is prepared by gently reshaping it to allow the crown to fit snugly over it. Impressions are then taken and sent to a dental laboratory where your custom crown is meticulously fabricated to match your bite and adjacent teeth. A temporary crown is placed to protect the prepared tooth. In the second visit, usually a week or two later, the temporary crown is removed, and the permanent crown is carefully fitted, adjusted, and then permanently bonded into place. Crowns can be made from various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or gold alloys, chosen based on the tooth's location, strength requirements, and aesthetic preferences.