Crowns

A crown is used to entirely cover or "cap" a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment. Crowns are synthetic caps, usually made of a material like

1· porcelain (ceramic),

2· precious metal (gold) and

3· non precious metal alloys or combinations (PFM: Porcelain Fused to Metal, PFG: Porcelain Fused to Gold)

A dental crown may be the best option for a tooth that has had such significant decay that a filling may not be an adequate means to strengthen the tooth.
A dental crown is also a good choice for a tooth that has chipped or broken and must be restored. One or more dental crowns may be placed over the teeth in order to improve the overall aesthetic appearance of your smile.

Procedure

A crown procedure usually requires two appointments.

At your first appointment-The tooth is reduced in size to accommodate a crown. An impression is taken of the existing tooth. The impression is sent to the dental technicians laboratory. A temporary crown is applied which will stay on your tooth for approximately two weeks until your new crown is fabricated by a dental laboratory.

At your second appointment- the temporary crown is removed and permanent crowns are cemented in place.

You will be given care instructions and encouraged to have regular dental visits to check your new crown. On average, dental crowns last between 5 and 15 years. The life span of a crown depends on the amount of "wear and tear" the crown is exposed to and how well you follow good oral hygiene