Crowns

A crown is a dental restoration that covers or “caps” a tooth to restore it to its normal shape, size, and function. Its purpose is to strengthen or improve the appearance of a tooth.

A dental crown can:

• restore a tooth when there isn’t enough tooth remaining to provide support for a large filling
• attach a bridge to replace the missing teeth
• protect a week tooth from fracturing
• restore a fractured tooth
• cover a badly shaped or discolored tooth
• cover a dental implant
• provide support after a tooth has had root canal therapy.

What Steps are Involved in Preparing a Tooth for a Crown?

Preparing a tooth for a crown usually requires two dentist visits, the first step involves examining and preparing the tooth, the second visit involves placement of the permanent crown.

First Visit: Examining and preparing the tooth.  At the first visit, your dentist may take a few X-rays to check the roots of the tooth receiving the crown and surrounding bone.  if the tooth has extensive decay or if there is a risk of infection or injury to the tooth’s pulp, root canal treatment may first be needed.

Before the process of making your crown is begun, your dentist will take an impression to allow a temporary to be made as well as anesthetize (numb) your tooth and the gum tissue around the tooth.  Next, the tooth receiving the crown is tapered down along the chewing surface and sides to make room for the crown.  If a large area of the tooth is missing (due to decay or damage), your dentist will use filling material to “build up” the tooth to support the crown.

After reshaping the tooth, Dr. Barber will take a digital impression of the teeth above or below the tooth to be crowned. Impressions of the teeth will also be made to make sure that the crown will not affect your bite.  Your digital impression will then be emailed to the dental lab where the crown will be fabricated. 

The crown is usually returned to your dentist’s office in approximately 1-2 weeks.  During this first office visit your dentist will make a temporary crown to cover and protect the prepared tooth while the crown is being made.

Second Visit: Receiving the permanent dental crown.  At your second visit, your dentist will remove your temporary crown and check the fit and color of the permanent crown.  If everything is acceptable, the new crown is permanently cemented in place.

Does a Crowned Tooth Require Any Special  Care?

While a crowned tooth does not require any special care, remember that simply because a tooth is crowned does not mean the underlying tooth is protected from decay or gum disease.  You will need to continue following good oral hygiene practices.  These include brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing.