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Click here to help this girl keep her smile
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A crown is needed to restore a tooth which has....
These are sometimes referred to as "caps". Fillings are a cost effective way to replace lost tooth structure, but they are limited in their effectiveness once a significant amount of the tooth is lost. The decision to crown is based on how much tooth structure is gone, where the tooth is in the mouth, the long term prognosis of the tooth, the periodontal condition of the tooth, and many other factors. This is a decision to be made by you after conferring with the doctor. Crowns are made of metal, porcelain, or a combination of both. The combination crown, called porcelain fused to metal, is the most common. The underside of the crown is metal for strength and accuracy of fit and the outside is of tooth colored porcelain for durability and esthetics. Currently we are using an esthetic new ceramic called IPS DSign, which is designed to mimic natural enamel in both hardness and appearance. In addition we only use hi gold alloys on all our crowns, since many people will develop allergies to the so called "base metals" (nickel, etc..). The gold also gives the crowns a warmer, more natural appearance. New materials and techniques are developed constantly, making the crown procedure even more predictable and esthetic. Making The Crown Even a crown needs a minimum amount of tooth bulk to work right. Often the tooth is so broken down that a procedure known as a crown buildup is needed. This process uses a filling material to buildup what is left of your tooth so that their is enough to crown properly. Having a crown made is usually a two to three appointment process.. Appointment 1-Tooth is numbed and prepared for crown. A crown buildup is done if needed. A very accurate impression of the prepared tooth is made. A plastic temporary is made and cemented.( NOTE: Please call to have your temporary recemented within 48 hours should it come loose. It keeps the tooth from drifting until the crown is made. Otherwise the final crown will not fit). A porcelain shade is selected. Appointment 2-
Final crown is tried in and adjusted to fit properly. If the crown fits well it
is cemented to the tooth with a durable, fluoride contain
cement. The most important thing to realize is that the critical aspect to a crown is the accuracy of the fit to the tooth. The better the fit the longer the crown will last you. At each step of the process quality control evaluations will be made. This sometimes results in the repeating of a step or two. This can become a bit frustrating, but try to remember that this is done to get you the highest quality end product. It is unpredictable how long a crown will last. Many insurance companies will pay for a new one after five years, but a crown should last much longer with proper care and maintenance. Caring For Your Crown You still need to care for your crowned tooth. It is still susceptible to decay where the crown meets the tooth at the gum line. The margin where the crown meets the tooth can often harbor harmful bacteria if you do not keep your crown clean. This bacteria can lead to decay and periodontal disease. Treat it like any other tooth in your mouth with proper brushing at the gum line and daily flossing. You also need to maintain the recall period you have been given. The crown is examined at your check up for any problems. The earlier any problem is found the easier and less expensive it is to treat. |
704 D Nursery Road Linthicum, Maryland 21090 410-789-4999 Last modified: July 31, 2007 |
