Crowns
A crown or a "cap" is a long term dental restoration that is placed on a tooth to restore it to its normal shape, size and function. A crown may be needed to:
- Repair a fractured tooth
- Restore a tooth when there is not enough tooth structure left to support a filling
- Protect a weak or badly shaped or discolored tooth
- Provide support for a bridge
- Cover a dental implant
There are many different types of crowns, including full porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, and full metal crowns. Dr. Hawthorne or Dr. Devine will discuss the best options for you.
The process of making a crown generally includes two office visits. First, we begin by preparing the tooth and taking impressions from the tooth/teeth involved. Then a temporary crown or bridge is placed on your teeth.
The impressions are sent to a dental laboratory where your crown is fabricated.
The completed crown is returned to our office and is cemented in place.
To prevent damage to a crown, we recommend:
- Avoid chewing hard food, ice or other hard objects
- Brush twice a day and floss once a day
- Stay on your recommended schedule for your professional cleaning and dental exam