Crowns
When a tooth is badly broken or decayed a crown may be necessary to return the tooth to its original appearance, form and function. Crowns may also be recommended for teeth that underwent Root Canal or gum therapy.
| A crown, also known as a cap, is a custom made restoration that is designed to cover your entire tooth. Custom fit and color matching ensures that it is indistinguishable from your remaining teeth in both color and shape. A two-appointment process is necessary because crowns are custom made for you in a dental laboratory. The initial appointment involves a painless shaping of the tooth to make room for a proper fitting crown. Color matching is also done at this time. An impression is then taken and a temporary crown is placed. The permanent crown will then be fabricated at a dental laboratory. At the second appointment the crown will be bonded to the tooth. |
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Several different materials are used to make crowns. Your dentist can help you decide on a perfect choice of material to fit your needs and desires.
Porcelain Crowns
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All-porcelain crowns are the most
life-like of all crown types. Because porcelain reflects light in the same
manner as tooth enamel does, exquisite translucency and color matching can be
achieved.
Because all-porcelain crowns can be made very thin, minimal tooth structure reduction is necessary. Although very durable and could be placed on all teeth, all-porcelain crowns work best for front teeth where chewing forces are not very heavy and esthetics are of the most importance. |
Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns
| When biting pressure is too great
for a porcelain crown or gaps from missing teeth must be filled in, metal alloy
must be placed under the porcelain for strength. This is the porcelain fused to
metal crown technique. Slightly more tooth structure is removed to accommodate
for both metal and porcelain. Although, these crowns do not exhibit the same
translucency as all-porcelain crowns, they look very esthetic and natural. These
crowns are an excellent choice for both front and back teeth.
The best metal to use as a lining is white gold because it is strong yet playable and allows for the best crown adaptation. It is also the metal of choice for patients with known or suspected metal allergies. For a cheaper alternative other metals could be successfully used. |
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Gold Crowns
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A gold crown can be an excellent alternative for restoring back teeth. When esthetics are not a concern, gold crowns are restoration of choice due to their superior longevity. Gold crowns are also very gentle to other teeth and have properties similar to that of a real tooth. |
Large failing silver fillings replaced with porcelain fused to metal crowns.