Crowns are recommended for teeth that have been structurally weakened by large cavities and have large fillings or root canal treatment
With fillings removed you can clearly see the cracks in the remaining tooth resulting in structural weakness where a simple filling cannot prevent the tooth from fracturing.
Defined crack in the remaining tooth with filling removed
Notice areas where tooth is breaking down around old fillings and decay is starting.
The outer perimeter of the tooth is reduced to accommodate the thickness of the crown (about 1-2 millimeters) and a digital impression is taken with our optical scanner and a temporary crown is placed while your new permanent crown is made by our ceramists.
The process of installing a crown takes 2-3 visits to the dentist. On the first visit, the tooth will be reshaped by filing down the enamel so that the crown can be placed over it. You will be given a local anesthetic before this part of the procedure so that you do not experience any discomfort. Once the tooth has been reshaped, a mold will be taken of that tooth and the surrounding teeth. This mold will be sent to a dental lab so that your new crown can be made so that it fits in the spot created for it and looks the same relative to the surrounding teeth. Before leaving, your dentist will fit you with a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready.
The crown takes about 2-3 weeks to be returned to your dentist. At this time you will have another appointment to place and fit the permanent crown. You will again have a local anesthetic to numb the area and the tooth will be placed using a cement to ensure the tooth sets in place.
Your dental crown will look just like a natural tooth and will be the same size as the original tooth when the crown is in place.
When you look in the mirror, you will see your old smile back. Crowns are durable and will usually last about 10-15 years. You should care for it as you would any of your other teeth with regular brushing and flossing.
Teeth that have been structurally weakened by large fillings or root canal treatment can fracture and require more complex treatment or even extraction.