What are Dental Crowns?

A dental crown is a type of restoration that is designed to fit over a damaged or compromised tooth. If a tooth has fractured, broken or has recently had root canal therapy, we may recommend that it receive a crown. Crowns both protect the tooth from further damage as well as restore its size and shape. You can expect a crown to last many years.

Why are Dental Crowns needed?

There are a couple of reasons for why you might benefit from a new dental crown. The most common reason is because a tooth has cracked, fractured or broken. You might need a crown if your tooth has recently had root canal therapy, which can leave the tooth more prone to breaking. If a tooth has a large filling, a large decay or a hairline crack, we might recommend crowning the tooth to protect it and restore its esthetics.

Who is a candidate for Dental Crowns?

Our dentists will examine your teeth to determine if a crown is necessary. If it's found that you do need a crown, it is best to have the work done right away to prevent further damage to the tooth. If you have an older crown that needs to be replaced, we can do this easily in our office at your convenience.

What happens during the Dental Crown procedure?

The first step is to numb the area of the mouth that needs the crown. We will administer a local anesthetic to make the procedure comfortable for you. The tooth is then filed down appropriately so that there is enough room for the restoration. We take digital impressions which are used to make the new crown, then you will go home with a custom made temporary crown. At a second appointment about two weeks later the permanent crown can be cemented. You can expect the crown to last for many years.

If you'd like to learn more about how dental crowns are made and placed, call us today to speak with one of our friendly staff members for further information.

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