A dental crown or “cap” is a covering that fits over a damaged, decayed, or unattractive tooth. It can even replace a tooth entirely as part of dental bridgework.
Dentistry is an art and a science; dental crowns are a perfect example. A dental crown or “cap” is a covering that fits over a damaged, decayed, or unattractive tooth. It can even replace a tooth entirely as part of dental bridgework.
A crown completely covers a tooth above the gum line. This is in contrast to a dental veneer, which only covers a tooth’s front surface and needs a natural tooth structure to support it. Therefore, if a tooth is missing a significant amount of structure above the gum line, a crown would be the restoration of choice.
We do a digital impression, which is more comfortable for the patient so you don’t have to deal with goopy impression material. Digital impressions are also more accurate for a better fitting crown.
Crowns strengthen damaged teeth, allowing them to function normally again. They can even be designed to improve upon a tooth’s original appearance. When crafted from today’s high-tech porcelains (dental ceramics), crowns are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.
There are other materials besides porcelain that we can use to make dental crowns, depending on what qualities are most important. For durability, cast gold can’t be beaten. However, this is not always the most aesthetic choice — especially towards the front of the mouth. Other possibilities include porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (PFM), which have a metal interior for strength and a porcelain exterior for a more natural appearance, and all-porcelain crowns with zirconia, representing the strongest ceramic. We would happily discuss the pros and cons of these options with you.
Crowning or capping a tooth will usually take two to three visits. Your tooth is prepared to receive its new crown at the first visit. First, it is shaped to fit inside the new covering. This will involve some drilling to give the tooth a uniform shape. The tooth and the surrounding area will be numbed beforehand. If there is very little tooth structure left, the tooth may have to be built up with filling material rather than filed down to support the crown.
After the tooth is prepared, impressions of your teeth are taken, either digitally or with reliable, putty-like impression materials, and sent to the dental laboratory. There, the impressions will be used to make models of your teeth to create a crown. The models will guide highly skilled lab technicians, who will ensure that your new crown is designed to enhance your smile and function well within your bite.
Before you leave the office, a temporary crown will be attached to your tooth to protect it until the permanent crown is ready. At the second visit, your permanent crown will be attached to your tooth with either a resin that hardens when exposed to a special light source or a type of permanent cement.
Crowns can also be used to create a lifelike replacement for a missing tooth. This is done with bridgework, which spans the space of the missing tooth and requires at least three crowns. Two of those crowns will be placed over healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth; these healthy teeth are referred to as abutment teeth. The two crowned abutment teeth become supports for a third crown placed in between them; that third crown is referred to as a pontic. If more than one tooth is missing, more crowns will be needed to bridge the gap between the abutment teeth.
The number of abutment teeth necessary to replace missing teeth is influenced by the number of missing teeth, the size, and length of the abutment tooth roots, the amount of bone support each abutment tooth has, and where in the mouth the missing tooth is located. For example, if you have three missing teeth, four abutment teeth may be necessary, thereby creating a seven-tooth bridge. Engineering and designing the bridge requires an understanding of how to replace teeth and the biology of the supporting gum and bone tissue.
“Dr. Saad is the best. He is very professional, courteous, and considerate including all the amazing and experienced staff members at the clinic. I had dental crowns as well as tooth extraction done, all of that without pain, I was happily surprised. Highly recommended.”
-Syed R
“Dr. Saad fit me into his schedule and worked through his lunchtime to painlessly( really!) remove my broken crown and fit a temporary that would be perfect for my next day sleep apnea device fitting appt. Dr. Saad ensured I was able to keep that appt. in 2021 so I would be able to have the device fitted in time to be covered by my insurance. This is just one example of Dr. Saad’s repair of previous childhood/early adult dental work. Because of his gentleness, proficiency and kindness over the years, my previous dental anxiety has been resolved. Dr. Saad has been my and my sister’s trusted family dentist for years. My grown kids travel an hour to see Dr. Saad for their cleanings. They won’t go to any other dentist. I love Dr. Saad!”
-Zivile R.
Crowns and bridgework require the same conscientious care as your natural teeth. Be sure to brush and floss between all of your teeth — restored and natural — every day to reduce the buildup of dental plaque. When you have crowns, it is even more important to maintain your regular schedule of cleanings at the dental office. Avoid using your teeth as tools (to open packages, for example). If you have a grinding habit, wearing a nightguard would be a good idea to protect your teeth and your investment.