Dental Crowns to Repair Tooth Damage

Crowns are synthetic caps placed on the top of an entire tooth to restore its function and appearance following a restorative procedure such as a root canal. When tooth decay has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed, crowns are usually the best solution. They can also be used to attach bridges, cover implants, prevent a cracked tooth from becoming worse, or can act as a preventive measure when an existing filling is in jeopardy of becoming loose or dislocated.

Tooth Colored Crowns – Porcelain Dental Crowns to Match Your Teeth

When a discolored or stained tooth needs to be restored to its natural appearance, crowns can also serve an aesthetic purpose. Your crown can be made from many different materials depending on your preference, including tooth-colored porcelain, cast gold, or porcelain fused to gold.

Creating Your Permanent Crowns

A tooth must usually be reduced in size, known as shaping, to accommodate a crown. Then, an impression is made of the existing tooth. The impression is sent to a lab where a custom-designed crown is made to match your dentist’s specifications. In some cases, a temporary dental crown is made until the permanent crown is ready.

Caring For Your Dental Crown

With proper care, your crown can last for years. It is very important to floss in the area of the crown to avoid excess plaque or collection of debris around the restoration. Certain behaviors, such as jaw clenching or bruxism (teeth grinding), significantly shorten the life of a crown. You should also avoid eating brittle foods, ice or hard candy because they can compromise and damage the adhesion of the crown.