Dental Crowns

If “crown” is an unfamiliar term, you’ve probably heard about getting a tooth “capped.” It’s the same procedure. But whichever term you use, the name is somewhat deceptive. For instance, “crown” may make you think about something that sits on top of a tooth, the way royal head-gear sits on a king or queen; the word “cap” may also have you picturing something of a tooth hat. That is not, however, the way a dental crown sits on a tooth.

What Dental Crowns Do

Dental crowns are custom-designed shells made to the exact shape and size of a damaged tooth. Rather than fitting like a royal crown, a dental crown fits more like a diving helmet, or visored motorcycle helmet, covering an entire tooth that has been damaged beyond the ability of less-involved methods, such as fillings, to fix it. Some of the uses for dental crowns are:

REPAIRING A CAVITY TOO LARGE FOR A FILLING
Restoring the shape and usefulness of exceptionally worn or significantly damaged teeth
Improving the appearance of unappealing teeth when simpler cosmetic procedures aren’t enough
Anchoring a dental bridge to a tooth beside a gap in a row of teeth
Topping off a dental implant
Protecting a tooth that has had a root canal

Various Types of Dental Crowns

We mentioned above that dental crowns are usually made of porcelain, but crowns are made of other materials, as well. Your dentist may determine a need for a specific material other than porcelain, or perhaps he or she will offer you a choice based on your personal preference.

Ceramic or Porcelain

First things first—we’re not talking about the sort of ceramic or porcelain in your kitchen cabinet; these are medical-grade materials engineered for strength and durability. Among the benefits of using them are the ability to produce them in natural tooth colors and the fact that they present no concern for patients who are allergic to metals.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal

Unlike metal crowns, this type is a great option for anywhere in the mouth, since porcelain crowns can be color-adjusted to blend with your natural teeth. And the metal offers strength for biting and chewing, as well
Metal Crowns

This type of crown is made from an “alloy”—a metal made by combining other metals and metallic substances. There is a range among alloys, with the most high-end metal crowns being made from “noble” alloys, which consist 40% or more of gold, with some palladium and/or platinum and various other components, such as zinc, copper, tin and others. These are a durable option for crowning teeth toward the back of the mouth, such as molars that do a lot of chewing. Another reason metal crowns tend to be used toward the back of the mouth is their very metallic look, which people don’t often find very appealing in their smiles.

What Patients Are Saying About StarBrite Dental

"Pleased with my front crowns and periodontal treatment. Dr. seifi is really taking caring"

- Tri U.

★★★★★

"All staff has been nice and patient! I’ve been a patient for over 5 years now and have completed Invisalign and crowns. Very happy With the results"

- Cathann M.

★★★★★

"Very good dental work. Got several crowns done here and they took care of me. They made sure I was always comfortable."

- Danilo R.

★★★★★

A Crowning Achievement:

What the Procedure Is Like

Initial Appointment

This is going to sound involved and uncomfortable, but be assured that StarBrite dentists are well trained in the art of comfortable dentistry. Your comfort will be uppermost in mind, every step of the way. In fact, the first thing that will happen is making sure the area being crowned has been numbed sufficiently for you to remain comfortable through the procedure.

Once the procedure begins, your dentist will remove a portion of the tooth being crowned; how much will be removed depends on how much tooth your dentist determines is necessary for the crown to sit well in your mouth, and what the shape of that crowned section needs to be.

After your dentist is satisfied with the area that has been prepared for the crown, an impression of the area where the crown will sit is taken, as well as an impression of your bite, to be sure that your crown will align with it.

Once your dentist has made all of the careful measurements necessary, he or she will color match your tooth and send that to a dental lab, along with the measurements and impressions necessary for the lab staff to create your crown.

The last thing that happens in the first appointment is the creation and fitting of a temporary crown, to protect the problem tooth and give your other teeth something to work against until your permanent crown is delivered by the lab.
Final Appointment

When your permanent crown has been delivered, you’ll be contacted about an appointment to have it set in place. After your comfort has been seen to by numbing the area, your temporary crown will be removed and replaced with the permanent crown.

Your dentist will carefully check the way your new crown sits and the way it looks in line with your natural teeth; the crown may require some adjustments, for which your dentist may need to remove it and replace it several times. After that, your permanent crown will be cemented into place, the fit will be confirmed clinically and any excess cement around it will be cleaned away.

Before you and your new crown leave Appointment #2, your dentist will give you some ideas on getting used to your crown, how to work with it during your daily dental hygiene regimen and what kind of foods to keep away from it, so you can avoid damaging it and make it last a good long time.