If you have a tooth that is greatly damaged, your doctor might recommend covering your tooth with a dental crown. A dental crown can strengthen the tooth, improve a tooth’s overall appearance, and in some cases, even align the tooth better in the mouth.
There are many reasons why the doctor may require a crown, some including: a tooth with a cavity too large to do a filling, to strengthen a tooth with a large filling already, to improve worn out teeth, and to protect a tooth after a root canal. There are different types of crowns. There are different materials that the doctor will choose from, it will depend on what material will work best for your situation.
Ceramic crowns are usually indicated for front teeth, but they can also be done in back teeth if the bite allows for this as well as the shape of the current tooth to be worked on. Within ceramics, there are also different types too; they all have different strengths and esthetics. There are also ceramic crowns that are strengthened with metal inside of them. These have long term durability, a great seal, and strength.
A gold crown doesn’t fracture or wear down opposing teeth like some ceramics do, but we all know they do not look natural. Your doctor may suggest a gold crown in back teeth when it’s indicated for your bite.
A crown is done in 2 visits. At the first visit, the doctor will prepare your tooth to make room for the crown to fit comfortably. In most cases, the doctor will place a “core build up”, or a large filling to help increase retention of the crown. They will then take an “impression” (make a copy), of the prepared tooth to send to the lab to create the crown (the turnaround time is 2-3 weeks). The doctor will send you home with a temporary crown. These temporary crowns are very fragile so the patient will need to avoid hard and sticky foods. Sometimes, sensitivity may occur while in the temporary crown.
At the second visit, the dentist will remove the temporary crown and fit the permanent one. Sometimes numbing is necessary for this last step to make the fitting more comfortable.We will also make sure you approve the looks and feel of the permanent crown before it’s glued in.