Dental Crowns
A crown or cap covers the part of the tooth that is above the gum line if the tooth is weak or the patient wants a better size and shape. In adults, a crown can also be used to help a dental bridge stay in place, to protect a dental implant, or for a better appearance.
Temporary crowns are often put in place while a permanent crown is made in a dental lab with better materials from impressions of the teeth for a better fit. Mark L. Civin, D.D.S. often uses dental crowns to help their patients have a healthy, beautiful smile.
Who are the best candidates?
Dental crowns or caps can be used on almost any patient for a variety of reasons. Many patients require crowns to fix a dental problem, such as a weak tooth, to hold a large filling, or restore a broken tooth. Crowns may also be used to improve the appearance of the patient’s smile by “capping” the natural teeth with crowns that give are better shaped and whiter.
What to expect
The procedure for receiving a crown requires 2 office visits. On the first visit, Dr. Civin will examine the tooth to check for further decay, in case a root canal or other treatment needs to be performed. After the exam, the tooth and gums will be numbed with local anesthesia so the mouth can be prepared for the new crown by filing down the tooth, as needed. In some cases, the dentist may need to build up the tooth with fillings so the crown fits snugly around the tooth. An impression will be made and sent to a dental lab where a permanent crown will be made. A temporary crown will be placed to protect the tooth while the permanent crown is being made. Once the permanent crown has been created and sent to our practice, the patient will come in for their second appointment and have their crown placed. Dr. Civin will check the fit and color of the crown before numbing the tooth and cementing the crown in place.
CROWN FAQS
Cleaning and Care
Patients should be especially careful while they have temporary dental crowns. The dentist will go over a list of instructions before the patient leaves, but some tips include avoiding sticky or hard foods, try to use the side of your mouth that doesn’t have a temporary crown, and to pull floss out of the sides of the crown instead of lifting up and out. A permanent crown can be treated like your natural teeth, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups.
Materials
Modern crowns can be made from a variety of materials that can be color-matched to your natural teeth. To maintain a fully white smile, we recommend all-ceramic crowns. Our precise color-matching system allows us to find the right shade of porcelain to blend with your natural tooth color. Porcelain crowns are also extremely durable and long-lasting, and these benefits make them popular with dentists as well as patients. Dr. Civin will discuss all possible options and help you choose your best crown.
How long do dental crowns last?
Crowns are custom-made from strong, aesthetically pleasing porcelain. They’re durable, but they aren’t expected to last for a lifetime. The lifespan of your new crown depends on your oral care and mouth-related habits. In general, crowns can last between five and 15 years.
Is it painful to have a crown put on your tooth?
Many patients, upon hearing they need a crown, worry that it will hurt. Rest assured, getting a crown is usually not painful. It is a common and fairly straightforward procedure.
