What Is A Crown?

The tooth structure that you see when you look at a natural tooth is the enamel. Enamel covers the clinical crown of a tooth, which is the part of the tooth that is above the gum line. Sometimes, the clinical crown is weakened or damaged by decay, fractures or chips, large fillings or root canal therapy. Because of this damage, it may become necessary to restore your tooth with a crown (also called a cap). A crown covers and restores the clinical crown of a tooth to its original shape and function. Crowns may be made of metal, porcelain bonded to a metal base, or entirely out of porcelain.

The procedure

To make the entire procedure comfortable for you, the first thing we'll do is make sure the affected area is completely numb. Then we'll reduce and contour the tooth that is going to be restored.

After we've prepared the tooth, we'll take an impression of your teeth. Sometimes, we'll place a piece of string, called retraction cord, between the tooth and your gums; this gently pushes your gums away from your tooth, helping us get a more accurate impression. The string is removed after the impression is taken. The impression creates an accurate working model of your mouth, including the prepared teeth. This helps us re-create your natural bite.

For the several weeks that it takes the dental lab to fabricate your crown,you'll have a temporary crown in your mouth. Then, at your next visit, we'll remove the temporary and you'll try in your new crown. We'll adjust the bite and make sure floss works smoothly. When everything looks good, we'll cement your new crown in place.

Crown Lengthening

A crown (also called a cap) is an excellent way to cover and protect a tooth that has been fractured or damaged by decay. But sometimes, the damage extends below the level of the bone that surrounds the tooth. There isn't sufficient tooth structure remaining to support a crown.

Previously, such extensive damage would mean that the tooth would be lost. But today, by performing a procedure called crown lengthening, we can build up the tooth structure so it can support a crown, and save the tooth.

The procedure

After a few weeks of healing, we may also build up the tooth using a post or pins and a buildup material. The final step is placing a crown to cover and protect the damaged tooth. The crown restores your damaged tooth to normal health, appearance and chewing function.