Crowns & Bridges
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth — to cover the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and improve its appearance. The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
A dental crown may be needed in the following situations:
- When a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth
- To support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth left
- To protect weak teeth from fracturing
- To restore fractured teeth
- To attach a bridge
- To cover badly shaped or severely discolored teeth
- To cover a dental implant
- As part of a dental implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for function
How is a dental crown placed?
Placing a dental crown usually takes two visits to the dentist. During your first visit, the dentist will prepare your tooth by removing any decay and filing it down to make room for the new crown. Then, the dentist will take an impression of the prepared tooth and send it to a lab where your new permanent crown will be made. In order to protect the prepared tooth until your second visit, you’ll receive a “temporary” temporary denture crown that sits on top of your prepared tooth. When you return for your second appointment, the dentist will remove your temporary crown and bond (glue) your new permanent one in place.
What is a dental bridge?
A bridge is composed of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap — these two or more anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth — and a false tooth/teeth in between.
Why Crowns?
Crowns are typically needed when a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth. They are often used to restore teeth that have already had root canal therapy. They’re also used to attach bridges, cover implants, prevent a cracked tooth from becoming worse or an existing filling from becoming dislocated, cover discolored or poorly shaped teeth, or make cosmetic modifications.