Crown

Crowns strengthen and protect the tooth structure and can improve the appearance of your smile. A crown is a dental restoration that entirely covers or "caps" a tooth. Your dentist may recommend a crown to:

• Replace a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining
• Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
• Restore a fractured tooth
• Attach a bridge
• Cover a dental implant
• Cover a poorly shaped tooth or
• Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment

Types of crowns include the full porcelain crown, the porcelain-fused to-metal crown and the all-metal crown.

Fitting a crown requires at least two visits to the dentist’s office. In some cases, an additional visit may be needed for adjustments. Initially, the dentist shapes the outer portion of the tooth, takes an impression and makes and fits a temporary crown.

In a subsequent visit, the dentist will remove the temporary crown and fit and make any adjustments to the final crown. Once the patient and dentist approve of the final crown, it will be cemented permanently into place.