Dental Crowns

A dental crown may be needed to protect a weak tooth, to restore a n already broken tooth, to cover and support a tooth with a large filling or any number of other reasons including to make a cosmetic modification. First, a crown restores your tooth back to the original size, shape, and color of the original tooth. Second, a crown surrounds the tooth and makes it strong again. Badly broken or decayed teeth can be strengthened with a crown.

The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line. It typically takes a dentist two separate appointments to make and place a new dental crown for a patient. The first visit is preparing and shaping the tooth, taking an impression and placing a temporary crown. When our patient returns for their second visit, Dr. Smith will cement the crown into place.

Crowns can be a good choice for front or back teeth as well as long bridges where the metal is needed for strength. Dental crowns actually are often used to strengthen teeth and are strong enough to chew food. A crown can help strengthen a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining to hold the filling. Crowns can also be used to attach bridges, protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one that’s already broken.