Crowns
Crowns are also known as “caps”. They are “cemented” onto an existing tooth to become your tooth’s new outer surface. Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or both. They are indicated sometimes for cosmetic reasons in order to change a tooth’s shape but are mainly recommended for functional purposes because of their strength.
When a tooth is badly broken/cracked, worn down or destroyed by tooth decay, a crown is needed to restore the tooth to proper form and function. A crown is also indicated for teeth that have been root canal treated, as they are more prone to fracture.
Two appointments are needed to make a crown:
The tooth is first prepared to receive a crown. Is most cases, a tooth first has to be built up, prior to preparing for a crown.
Then, an impression is taken of the prepared tooth and a temporary crown is placed. The impression is sent to the lab for the technicians to use to make the permanent crown.
Crowns can be made of:
- All metal.
- All ceramic.
- a combination of metal and ceramic.
At the second appointment, the temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is cemented in place.
Once a crown is placed, meticulous oral hygiene is required to increase the longevity of the crown. If plaque isn’t removed daily from the crown margin, a new cavity can form under the crown. In most cases, if this occurs, the only way to fix it is to remove the existing crown, fix the decay and cement on a new crown.
FAQs on Crowns
Q: What type of crown is best?
A: Every case varies.
- All ceramic crowns are used where aesthetics is the primary concern
- All metal crowns are used where strength is required
- Ceramic/metal crowns are used where a combination of aesthetics and strength is required