A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over an existing tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength. The crown covers the visible portion of the tooth above the gum line, so it looks and functions just like the rest of your teeth. This restoration can be made of porcelain or metal alloys. Porcelain crowns can be matched to the color of your natural teeth for a seamless appearance, and metal alloy crowns offer strength and durability but are less aesthetically pleasing. Crowns can be fabricated to fit over a single tooth or attached to two or more teeth in a row to anchor fixed bridgework.

Dental crowns are an ideal restoration procedure for patients who have a tooth that is structurally weakened from decay, damage, or a root canal procedure. They are typically a good treatment option when patients have a good amount of healthy remaining natural tooth structure surrounding the treated area and are looking to improve the function and aesthetic appeal of the affected tooth.

Benefits of Dental Crowns

A crown is one of the most common types of cosmetic dental procedures that dentists use to fix damaged, misshapen, or stained teeth. This procedure is also very common for fixing chipped, cracked, broken, discolored, or worn-down teeth. Dental crowns can also be used to cover up dental implants to restore or enhance the smile. This process is also commonly used for protecting teeth that have been treated with root canal therapy. The major benefits offered by dental crowns are as follows:

Dental crowns are durable, lasting much longer than fillings.
Crowns are also tooth-colored to match the surrounding teeth. The crowns look completely natural and beautiful in your mouth.
Lastly, dental crowns cover a weak or damaged tooth from further harm or injury. A broken tooth is more susceptible to bacteria entering and infecting the tooth’s pulp, causing pain and infection. Getting a dental crown can prevent this.

Procedure

Placement of dental crowns usually only takes two appointments to complete from start to finish. During the first appointment, the dentist will shape and prepare the tooth for the permanent crown by removing any decay or damage and preparing the tooth for the crown by etching the surface. Once the tooth is ready, a digital scan will be taken of the mouth and sent to a lab to create the crown. The patient will be able to wear a temporary crown in the meantime while the permanent crown is being made in the lab. Once the new crown arrives from the lab, the patient will return for the second appointment to have the new permanent crown cemented into place using a special cement. Once finished, the restoration will look just like a natural tooth.

Patients love how easy and convenient it is to fix their smiles with dental crowns. Crowns are a permanent solution that is going to last for many years if properly cared for. Plus, they can be made to look as natural as possible to match the surrounding teeth for a completely seamless look.