Dental Crown Overview

A dental crown is a cosmetic dentistry treatment that’s commonly used to protect and preserve a severely worn-down tooth from further damage or decay. Dental crowns are also needed to anchor dental bridges in place and to cover dental implants.

Crown Materials

Dental crowns are made from a wide range of materials. The material used for your crown would primarily depend on the tooth’s condition, needs, and location. Metal crowns are an ideal option for restoring severely damaged out-of-sight molars. These crowns are durable and can withstand biting forces. However, most dental crowns are made from porcelain-fused-to-metal or all porcelain because they provide more natural-looking results.

Crown Placement

The placement of a dental crown usually requires two dental visits. The first visit involves examination of the teeth and preparation for the dental crown placement. After numbing your tooth and its surrounding gum tissue with local anesthesia, the tooth receiving the crown is filed down to make room for the crown. Impressions are taken to serve as a guide for the crafting of the permanent crown. A temporary crown is placed over the tooth as the crown is being made. After one to three weeks, the temporary crown is removed and the permanent dental crown is placed.

Procedure Details

For the best results, your teeth and gums should be healthy before the dental crown procedure is initiated. Cavities and gum disease must be resolved first before the dental crowns are applied. A crowned tooth is protected from decay; however, the area where the edge of the crown joins the tooth is not. Therefore, it’s important to maintain a good dental hygiene and to regularly visit your dentist to prevent decay and to prolong the durability of the crowns. Dental crowns usually last 10 to 15 years on average.

Dental crowns are so popular because of their wide range of uses, from implant dentistry to root canals. For more information, schedule a consultation at our Staten Island dental practice today.