A crown is a covering that encases most of the tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size.  A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.

Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain (tooth colored) are the most popular.  They are highly durable and will last many years, but, like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced.  Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color or your teeth giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile.

Reasons for crowns:

• Broken or fractured teeth.
• Heavily restored or weakned teeth.
• Cosmetic enhancement.
• Decayed teeth.
• Fractured fillings.
• Large fillings.
• Tooth has had root canal treaetment.

What does crown treatment involve?

A crown procedure requires one or two appointments.  At your first appointment your tooth is prepared or shaped to accomodate your new crown.  Faulty filling material and weakend tooth structure are removed.  A three dimensional digital optical image is recorded and your crown in milled using CAD/CAM technology.  Often your crown treatment can be completed in this one appointment.  Sometimes we will have to take several highly accurate molds (or impressions) to create your crown.  A custom fabricated temporary crown will then be placed to protect your tooth until a second appointment.  At your second appointment, the temporary crown is removed and your final crown in bonded in place.

You will be given care instructions and encouraged to have regular dental visits to check your new crown.

Be sure to see our video presentation under: Dentistry on Video/Crowns, Bridges, and CEREC.