Porcelain Crowns/Caps

As you age, your teeth age too. Decay, fillings, trauma or even just normal chewing habits can make your teeth break down over time. A porcelain dental crown or a cap is a cover that is placed over a tooth to protect a weakened tooth from further fracturing or deteriorating. A porcelain crown could also be used to replace a discolored or badly shaped tooth or protect a tooth that has had a root canal.

Our goal is to provide dentistry that is undetectable. We replace existing crowns and fillings with restorations that look and feel like your natural teeth.

 

All porcelain crowns are generally considered the most esthetic choice since they closely resemble the color and appearance of your teeth. Porcelain continues to improve and in fact, there are newly developed porcelain materials, such as zirconium and lithium disilicate that can better withstand the forces of chewing.

 

What does getting a crown involve?

A crown procedure usually requires two appointments.  Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate molds (or impressions) that will be used to create your custom crown.  A mold will also be used to create a provisional(temporary) crown which will stay on your tooth for approximately three weeks until your new crown is fabricated by a dental laboratory.

 

While the tooth is numb, the dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any decay and shaping the surface to properly fit the crown.  Once these details are accomplished, your temporary crown will be placed with temporary cement and your bite will be checked to ensure you are biting properly.

 

At your second appointment your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and your new crown will be carefully placed to ensure the contours and bite is accurate.

 

Cleaning Your Crown

You will be given care instructions and encouraged to have regular dental visits to check your new crown.

 

Please keep in mind that the longevity of your crown depends in large part on the materials in the crown, as well as your oral hygiene, diet and the health of the supporting tooth and gums.