Dental Crowns Specialist

What is a dental crown?

A crown (or cap) is an artificial covering for a damaged or weak tooth that looks just like a real tooth. It fully covers and encloses the part of the treated tooth that’s above the gum line. A crown is commonly used to restore or strengthen a tooth, or to give it a better aesthetic appearance.

Although a crown can be made from many different types of materials -- including gold and metal alloys, acrylic, and ceramic -- porcelain is the most popular. Porcelain crowns can match the shape, size, and color of your own teeth, giving you a long-lasting and natural-looking beautiful smile.

Why would I need a dental crown?

Dr. Andreacola and her team may recommend a dental crown to:

• Cover a tooth with a large filling
• Prevent a tooth with a stress fracture from breaking
• Restore a broken tooth
• Attach a bridge (a prosthetic for a missing tooth or teeth)
• Cover a discolored or poorly-shaped tooth
• Cover a tooth that has had a root canal

What should I expect during a dental crown procedure?

A dental crown procedure usually takes two appointments. During the first appointment, Dr. Andreacola takes several impressions of your tooth and the surrounding area. She also prepares the tooth by removing any decay and shaping the surface to fit the crown properly.  

Then Dr. Andreacola places a temporary crown on your tooth to protect it until the final crown can be permanently placed. She sends the impressions to a lab for them to create a permanent crown to match your tooth.

At your second visit, the temporary crown is removed, and Dr. Andreacola carefully positions the new permanent crown. She makes sure the spacing and bite are accurate, and then fastens the crown to your tooth with a special adhesive.

What should I expect after the procedure?

It may take some time to get used to the feel of the crown. But soon it will feel and function like a regular tooth, and you won’t even think about it. Crowns need the same care as natural teeth, so just continue a good oral hygiene regimen of brushing twice a day and flossing daily.

If you think you may need a crown, call Andreacola Family Dentistry or make an appointment online today