At Oak Park Dental, we strive to keep your oral health in the best possible condition. While this largely involves preventative measures, some patients still need restorative treatment. To repair a decayed or damaged tooth, we may recommend a dental crown. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that restores the visible portion of a tooth.
How do Crowns Work?
We may place a crown for some reasons, some of which include:| • | Protection. We can use a dental crown to protect a weak tooth from cracking or fracturing. |
| • | Replacement. We can use a dental crown to replace a large filling if there is a minimal amount of healthy remaining tooth structure. |
| • | Restoration. We can use a dental crown to restore a damaged, discolored, abnormally shaped, or fractured tooth. It can also be used to cover a dental implant and restore a missing tooth. |
| • | Root canal treatment. After a root canal, the remaining tooth material can become brittle and structurally unsound. We can use a dental crown to prevent future complications like fractures. |
| • | Dental bridge. A dental bridge is used to replace a missing tooth. The restoration consists of two dental crowns linked together by a pontic, or false tooth. |
Dan O'Leary DDS will determine if you need a dental crown during a consultation or checkup visit. Crowns can be made from some materials, depending on your circumstance. While silver amalgam and gold crowns are still around, most patients prefer a more esthetically-pleasing option, porcelain. Porcelain or ceramic crowns can be matched to the existing color of your teeth, while still being relatively durable. Composite resin is also an esthetically-pleasing option.
The Crown Procedure
The crown procedure is generally broken down into two appointments due to the fabrication process. During your first appointment, we will completely reshape the enamel to accommodate the shape of the dental crown. Once the tooth is the proper shape, we will take an impression. This impression will be sent to our dental laboratory, where our technicians will use it to fabricate your final restoration. This process may take several weeks.In some cases, we may give you a temporary crown to protect the tooth. Once your final crown is ready, we can schedule your second appointment.During the second appointment, we will remove the temporary (if necessary), and cement your permanent crown to the tooth. We may have to make some minor adjustments to ensure a proper fit.
