Crowns

As we get a little older, our teeth begin to change and are prone to decay.

There are many possible reasons for this change in your smile. These reasons can include bruxism (teeth grinding), general decay, cracked fillings, root canals, and many others. If your tooth is beyond repair with a filling material, we may recommend that the best viable option to save the tooth is a full crown. The reasons for this type of restoration in a badly damaged tooth are durability, cosmetic appearance, and overall support of the chewing function.

Types of Crowns

If we decide that you are in need of a full crown, there are a few different options for the restoring your  tooth. These options include a full porcelain crown, a porcelain fused to gold crown, or a full gold crown. We will make the determination as to which of these options is the most appropriate for your situation. You can be comfortable in knowing that your new tooth will be virtually unnoticeable and will flawlessly complement the rest of your smile.

Procedure

When we have decided to go ahead with a full crown restoration, we will set aside 2-3 appointments for the entire process. Although the majority of crowns are completed in two visits, there is sometimes a need for a third visit to ensure a proper fit or aesthetic result.

The procedure begins with the removal of all decay in the tooth. Once we have removed the decay, we assess the structural integrity of the remaining tooth. This is done under magnifcation such as a microscope or dental loupes to assure the best possible outcome. More times than not, a tooth that requires a crown will have insufficient tooth structure remaining and require a foundation restoration called a buildup. Once this is completed we will take an impression of the tooth. This impression will be sent to our lab where your new restoration will be crafted. While this new tooth is created, we will provide you with a temporary restoration. Our temporary restorations will resemble your natural teeth so that you can continue with your daily life without worrying about a missing or incompatible tooth.

During your second visit to the office, we will proceed with the placement of your final restoration. This crown will be fitted comfortably into the mouth. We will make every effort to ensure that the new tooth feels exactly like one of your natural teeth. The final step in the process is to cement the crown into your mouth, leaving you with a beautifully restored smile.

Crown Lengthening

When decay progresses below the gumline and gets too close to the bone, a crown may not be possible without performing a minor procedure to remove a small amount of bone in order to not cause future irritation to your gum tissue. When needed this procedure is recommended we sometimes will need to delay the fabrication of the crown until the tissues are at the proper level to proceed. 

Crown Lengthening procedures are also done to improve the esthetics of your gum line on the upper front teethto correct uneven gum tissue levels. Sometimes the teeth are too short or worn or you appear to have a "gummy smile" because the gums come down too far. Other times the teeth and gums appear to be uneven and may require some straightening prior to crowns. This is a very complex area in dentistry and our practice has excelled in providing solutions to unesthetic gums and teeth.