A crown or cap is a protective covering that encases the entire tooth. A crown is recommended when a tooth is badly damaged and unable to be restored with a filling. There are multiple reasons for restoring a tooth with a crown. These include:
- Fractured or broken teeth
- A large filling which has fractured and has compromised the integrity of the remaining tooth structure.
- Root canaled teeth
- Badly decayed teeth which cannot be restored with a filling.
Crowns can be made from a variety of natural looking, extremely durable materials. These include ceramic or porcelain, porcelain fused to precious metal, or full cast gold crowns.
The process typically requires two visits to the dentist. On the first visit, the tooth is reshaped and reduced in size so that the new crown can be placed over the reshaped tooth. A mold of your reshaped tooth, as well as a mold of the adjacent and opposing teeth are taken to ensure excellent fit and a natural comfortable bite. A temporary or provisional restoration will be cemented on to the newly shaped teeth to protect the tooth and restore the patient’s ability to chew and smile. At the second visit, the temporary crown will be removed, the shaped tooth will be thoroughly cleaned with an antimicrobial solution, and your beautiful new crown will be permanently cemented. You will be given home care instructions and encouraged to ensure the beauty of your new smile with daily brushing and flossing and regular checkups.
