Why Do I Need A Crown / Dental Depot

What are crowns and why are they used?

A crown is a restoration that covers, or caps, a tooth to restore it to its normal and size. Its purpose is to strengthen or improve the appearance of a tooth.

A crown is placed for a number of reasons:

To support a large filling when there isn't enough tooth remaining.
To attach a bridge.
To protect weak teeth from fracturing.
To restore fractured teeth.
To cover badly shaped or discolored teeth.
To cover a dental implant.

Which material is best?
Both the "look" and function of your crowns are considered when choosing the materials most suitable for you. Your dentist will consider the tooth location, the position of the gum tissue, the amount of tooth that shows when you smile, the color or shade of the tooth and the function of the tooth.

Crowns are made from a number of materials. Gold alloys or nonprecious alloys, porcelain or ceramic, acrylic or composite resin or combinations of these materials may be used. Porcelain attached to a durable metal shell is commonly used because of its strength. Crowns make entirely of porcelain may look better: however they usually aren't as strong. In the process of making the crown, the porcelain is colored to blend in with your natural teeth.

How is a crown placed?
Several steps are involved in placing a crown. Usually at least two visits are necessary. The dentist will prepare the tooth by removing the outer portion of your tooth to accommodate the thickness of the crown. If the tooth has a filling, part of the material may be left in place to serve as a foundation for the crown. An impression is made to provide an exact model of the prepared tooth. Your dentist or a dental laboratory technician, following the written instruction of the dentist, will then make the crown from the model.

"Temporary" crowns (often make of acrylic resins) are placed while the permanent crown is made. If the shape or length of your teeth are changed for cosmetic purposes, for example, temporary crowns will allow you to become accustomed to this change. They can also help you decide if you like what your see or if there are any changes that you would like made before the permanent crowns are placed.