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What are dental crowns?

Your teeth can get damaged over time. Dental crowns are tooth-shaped “caps” (made of metal, porcelain, resin or a combination of the same) that can be placed over your tooth. The crown restores the tooth’s shape, size, strength and appearance.

The dental crown is bonded into place on your tooth and it covers the visible portion of the tooth.

Why would I need a dental crown?

You may need a dental crown for several reasons, including:

• Protecting a weak tooth (decay?) from breaking or to keep the weak tooth together if parts of it are cracked.
• Restoring a broken tooth or a severely worn down tooth.
• Covering a tooth with a large filling.
• Holding a dental bridge in place.
• Covering severely discolored or misshapen teeth.
• Covering a dental implant.
• Covering a tooth that has had a root canal.

What are dental crowns made of?

• Metal: There are several metals that can be used in dental crowns, including gold, palladium, nickel and chromium. Metal crowns rarely chip or break, last the longest in terms of wear down and only require a small portion of your original tooth to be removed. Metal crowns are a good choice for out-of-sight molars.
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal: This type of dental crown is matched to the color of the teeth surrounding the crown. They have a more natural tooth color. However, sometimes the metal under the crown’s porcelain can be visible as a dark line. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can be a good choice for front or back teeth.
• All-resin: Dental crowns fully made out of resin are generally less expensive than other crown types. However, they wear down over time and are more likely to break than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.
• All-ceramic or all-porcelain: These types of dental crowns provide the best natural color match compared to any other. They’re also the best option if you have metal allergies. However, they aren’t as strong as porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. They can also wear down the teeth opposite them in the mouth a little more than metal or resin crowns. All-ceramic crowns are a good choice for front teeth.
• Pressed ceramic: These dental crowns have a hard pressed inner core. Pressed ceramic crowns replace the metal liner that’s used in the all-ceramic crown-making process. Pressed ceramic crowns are capped with porcelain and provide the best natural color match. They’re also more long-lasting than an all-porcelain crown.

PROCEDURE DETAILS

How is my tooth prepared for a dental crown?

Dr. Saini will typically have you schedule two appointments for placing a dental crown.

The 1st visit

During the first visit, the damaged tooth is examined and prepared and X-rays are taken of the tooth and the bone around it.

The tooth that’s receiving the crown will be filed down across the top and sides. This will make space for the crown itself. After reshaping the tooth, a paste or putty is used to make an impression of the tooth that’s going to receive the crown. Impressions of the teeth above and below the tooth that’s getting the dental crown will also be made. This is done to make sure that the crown will not affect your bite. Often a temporary crown is then placed to cover and protect the prepared tooth.

The impressions are then sent to a dental laboratory. The lab makes the crowns and usually returns them to Mapleridge Children & Adult Dentistry in two to three weeks.

The 2nd visit

At the second visit, Dr. Saini bonds the crown in place and checks the bite.

How long do dental crowns last?

On average, dental crowns last between five and fifteen years. The life span of a crown depends on the amount of “wear and tear” the crown is exposed to, how well you follow oral hygiene practices and personal mouth-related habits (grinding or clenching your teeth, chewing ice, biting hard surfaces etc.)

How much do dental crowns cost?

Mapleridge Children & Adult Dentistry prides itself in making quality dental care affordable for all our patients. We will work with you identify the best crown option for your’ budget and esthetic needs. Give us a call at (315) 453-2084 to get started today.