A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth. Crowns restore a tooth’s shape and size, strength, and/or improve its appearance. A dental crown may be needed in the following situations:
- To protect a weak tooth (for instance, from decay) from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth
- To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down
- To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t a lot of tooth left
- To hold a dental bridge in place
- To cover misshaped or severely discolored teeth
- To cover a dental implant
- To make a cosmetic modification
Permanent crowns can be made from all metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, all resin, or all ceramic materials, zirconia.
Preparing a tooth for a dental crown usually requires two visits to the dentist: the first step involves examining and preparing the tooth, the second visit involves placement of the permanent crown. At the first visit in preparation for a crown, your dentist may take a few X-rays to check the roots of the tooth receiving the crown and surrounding bone. If the tooth has extensive decay or if there is a risk of infection or injury to the tooth’s nerve, a root canal treatment may first be performed. The tooth receiving the crown is filed down along the chewing surface and sides to make room for the crown. If a large area of the tooth is missing (due to decay or damage), your dentist will use filling material to “build up” the tooth to support the crown. During this first office visit your dentist will make a temporary crown to cover and protect the prepared tooth while the crown is being made. Temporary crowns usually are made of acrylic and are held in place using a temporary cement.
At the second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and check the fit and color of the permanent dental crown. If everything is acceptable, the tooth and the new crown is permanently cemented in place.
If you are looking to replace or need a new dental crown, at Inroma Dental we make affordable dental crowns in Delray Beach-West Palm Beach area. Please call us at 561-501-5759 to make an appointment.