Dental Crowns

 

Also called caps, crowns are dental restorations that are placed over a tooth when other procedures like bonding are simply not enough. Inlays and onlays are similar to a partial crown, most often made of porcelain. An inlay substitutes for a filling, while on onlay covers more than just the tooth’s surface. An onlay usually replaces a filling and coats one or more of the tip of the tooth.

A crown restores your tooth’s function, enhances its aesthetic appeal and improves the health of your mouth.

At the first visit, our cosmetic dentist will shape your teeth to stabilize your tooth structure in order to better fit the crown. Once your teeth have been prepared for your crowns, our cosmetic dentist will take impressions of your teeth and send them to the dental lab for further restorations. At this time, you and our dentist can choose the shape, size and color of the crown. While you’re waiting for the permanent restoration, our cosmetic dentist will insert a temporary one inside your mouth.

At the second visit, our dentist will take out your temporary restoration and replace it with your new crown. After the crown has been adjusted to your tooth, an adhesive agent is applied to permanently secure it.

When are Dental Crowns Used?

 

In some cases, the dentist may need to perform a root canal before inserting dental crowns. If this occurs, the dentist must construct the foundation for the dental crown after root canal therapy. This is known as “post-and-core” foundation.

On your first visit, our dentist will examine and prepare your tooth by taking X-rays. Before making your crown, our dentist will administer local anesthetics to numb your tooth and gum tissue. The tooth is then prepared to make room for the crown.

An impression of the tooth and neighbouring teeth is made, and while the crown is being developed, a temporary acrylic crown covers the tooth. Temporaries as they are commonly referred to are worn until your permanent crown comes back from the dental lab.

 

The impressions are sent to a dental laboratory to create the permanent crown. This permanent crown will be returned to the dental office in two to three weeks and sometimes sooner depending on turn around time. The crowns encase the visible fragment of a tooth.

 

At your second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and examine the fit of the permanent one. Once the crown is a good fit and colour, the dentist will administer a local anesthetic to insert the new, permanent crown.

 

Why use Dental Crowns?

 

- To protect a weak tooth
- To recondition a broken tooth
- To hide discolored or misshapen teeth

Dental crowns are also commonly referred to as tooth caps, teeth crowns.