A dental crown is a "cap" placed over a tooth. When cemented into place, crowns fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
Dental crowns are a method of restoring a tooth to its former glory by putting a cap over the original tooth or an implant. We start the process by forming a dental impression of your teeth to make sure that there is a tight bond between the crown and the outside of the tooth. We then cast the crown that fits on top of your tooth. In the next step we prepare the tooth and bond the tooth to the crown.
Crowns and bridges are fixed prosthetic devices that are meant to be in the mouth permanently. Crowns are tooth-shaped caps that are placed directly over an affected tooth.
They are often suggested by dentists for several reasons, such as:
To replace a large filling in cases where there is not enough tooth remaining
To protect weak teeth from fracturing
To cover a dental implant
To attach a bridge
To cover a discolored or misshapen tooth
To restore a fractured or damaged tooth
To cover a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment
Bridges are typically placed to prevent existing teeth from shifting or moving into spaces where other teeth are missing. A bridge is fixed onto surrounding teeth and contains a crown to fill in the gap, and is typically made from metal and porcelain.
During your consultation, our reconstructive dentist will perform a comprehensive examination with digital diagnostic x-rays to determine whether a crown or bridge would be the best course of treatment for you.
If you have chipped, broken or missing teeth and are self-conscious about your smile, crowns and bridges can help restore a bright, healthy and fully functional mouth.
Many crowns and bridges are made out of porcelain, a strong and durable material that closely resembles the color of natural teeth. While these can last for many years, practicing good oral hygiene is essential in maintaining the functionality of these prosthetics, as tooth disease can cause them to become loose or possibly fall out.
