What is a crown?
A crown is a cap or cover that fits over the entire tooth up to the gumline. Crowns can be made from metals such as stainless steel or gold, composite resin, dental porcelain or a combination of porcelain and metal alloy.
When do I need a crown?
A crown provides strength to teeth that have been treated by root canals, teeth that have broken, and teeth with large fillings. Root canal treated teeth become brittle due to the absence of the natural pulpal fluids inside the tooth. Teeth with large fillings tend to split over time due to biting force and the filling acting like a wedge inside the tooth. If the teeth with large fillings are not crowned, they can split completely, requiring the tooth to be extracted and replaced with an artificial tooth.
Teeth with large fillings "flex more" forcing the tooth apart
and stress fractures develop.
Cosmetic uses for Crowns
Crowns can also be used to cover up stained teeth, close spaces, and improve the general appearance of someone’s smile.
How is a crown prepared?
To prepare the tooth for a crown, it is reduced so the crown can fit over it. An impression of teeth and gums is made and sent off to the lab for the crown fabrication. A temporary crown is fitted over the tooth until the permanent crown is made. On the next visit, the dentist removes the temporary crown and cements the permanent crown onto the tooth.
Click here to read about Post Operative Care