What are dental crowns?

Dental crowns are caps or coverings that encase a damaged tooth. Crowns may be made of ceramic, porcelain, resin, or gold alloys. Crowns are often used to restore a tooth after a large cavity or break, but they are also used to cover teeth that are misshapen or oddly colored. Crowns may also be called by other names, such as “dental caps,” “dental jackets,” “dental fillings,” and “tooth caps.”

Why are dental crowns used?

A dental crown is a restoration that is custom created to fit over the entire tooth. They are often needed when a tooth is fractured, has a large cavity, or has a crack. The crown fits over the entire surface of the tooth, protecting it from further damage.

Types of dental crowns

There are a variety of materials that can be used to fabricate a dental crown. The most commonly used materials are ceramics and metals. However, there are other options for dental crowns. For example, many patients opt for zirconium dental crowns rather than a traditional porcelain crown. Zirconium crowns are metal-free, making them a popular choice for patients with metal allergies.

Porcelain dental crowns

Our porcelain dental crowns look and feel natural while also restoring function and strength to the teeth. These restorations can be made to cover the entire tooth, or only cover the tooth that is damaged.

Our porcelain crowns are fabricated with high-quality materials and have excellent strength to offer protection.

Metal dental crowns

Metal crowns are more commonly used with back teeth because they provide the best protection. Many dentists also use metal crowns for crowns on front teeth that are stained or discolored. Metal crowns work best for teeth that need to withstand a lot of force.

CEREC dental crowns

CEREC crowns have a number of benefits over traditional crowns. First, there is no temporary crown to wear while you wait for your permanent crown appointment. CEREC crowns also take less time to fabricate than traditional crowns. CEREC crowns can provide better color matching than traditional crowns, and CEREC crowns are metal-free.

Dental bridges after dental crowns

A dental bridge involves placing dental crowns on two natural teeth, which are called abutments. These two teeth support a false tooth called a pontic, which fills in the gap where a tooth used to be. A dental bridge can be a good option for replacing a missing tooth, but may not be the best option for everyone.

The dental bridge process starts by preparing the abutments. A small amount of enamel is removed from the abutments to make room for the crowns. Next, we take an impression of your teeth. These impressions are sent to a dental lab, where your new dental bridge is made. While the lab technician is making your new bridge, we’ll place a temporary one to protect your abutments.

Caring for dental crowns

To prolong lifespan of your dental crown, practice good oral hygiene. Just like regular teeth, bacteria can still build up on your crown, so brush and floss regularly. Be sure to brush gently, and don’t apply too much pressure.

Most dentists recommend a dental crown when a tooth has sustained damage, like a large cavity, that is too large for a filling to repair. Think of a crown as a cap that completely covers the surface of a damaged tooth.