Porcelain Crowns


Before	After

A crown is a covering that encases the complete tooth surface, restoring it to its original shape on all sides and in all directions. The crown protects and can strengthen tooth structures that cannot be restored with large fillings or other types of restorations.

There are several types of crowns, however, Porcelain crowns are the most popular as they are the most life-like and the most aesthetic. They restore your natural tooth to the color, shape, and hue of the original natural tooth. They are highly durable and they last for many years but like most restorations and anything man made they will eventually need to be replaced. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, color, and hue of your tooth giving you a natural and long-lasting beautiful smile that can be effectively maintained by good oral hygiene.

REASONS FOR CROWNS

- Broken or fractured teeth
- Cosmetic enhancement
- Decayed teeth
- Fractured fillings
- Large fillings
- Tooth that has a root canal
- Teeth that are misaligned or badly shaped
- Teeth with heavy tetracycline or other stains that cannot be bleached

WHAT IS THE PROCESS INVOLVED IN GETTING A CROWN

Crown procedure usually requires two appointments. The first appointment will include taking highly accurate molds or impressions that will be used by the laboratory for custom crowns. A mold will be used of the original tooth to create a temporary crown, usually made of plastic which will stay on your tooth for approximately two weeks or until the laboratory fabricates a new permanent porcelain crown.

Under complete anesthesia of the tooth or teeth involved, the tooth is prepared by removing any decay and any loose filling material or old filling material in that particular tooth to fit the crown onto a firm foundation. Once the details are accomplished your temporary crown will be placed with some temporary cement and bite adjusted so that you are comfortable with biting. At this time also impressions are taken for the laboratory so that they can fabricate your permanent crown.

You will then be given home care instructions and advised to return in two weeks for your second appointment. At your second appointment your temporary crown will be removed. The tooth will be cleaned and the surface prepared and your new crown will be carefully placed to insure that spacing between it and other teeth and your bite are accurate and as they should be. Also at that time we will take care to insure that there is a proper shade match to your other teeth and the laboratory has