Dental Crowns
Dental crowns, also known as dental caps, are tooth-shaped restorations that fit over damaged, weakened, or decayed. They encase the entire visible portion of the tooth above the gum line, restoring its function, shape, and appearance. Dental crowns can be made from metals like gold or silver, stainless steel, resin, ceramic, and porcelain-fused-to-metal.
Dr. O’Leary offers metal-free crowns that lend beauty to your smile.
When Are Dental Crowns Used?
Your Janesville dentist might recommend dental crowns for several reasons:
- Strengthening a weak tooth
- Restoring a cracked, broken, or worn-down tooth
- Protecting a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment
- Supporting a dental bridge
- Covering a dental implant
- Repairing a large cavity that can’t be filled with a traditional filling
- Improving the cosmetic appearance of a tooth
Dental crowns may be recommended for children whose primary teeth have an increased risk of decay, particularly if they have difficulty maintaining good oral hygiene.
Dental Crown Materials
Dental crowns are available in a variety of materials. Your Janesville dentist will choose a crown based on your personal preferences and oral health needs. Common choices include:
- Porcelain fused to metal (PFM): PFM dental crowns are a popular option due to their strength, durability, and natural appearance. However, the porcelain coating may chip away over time, exposing the metal band at the gum line, and they may wear down the enamel on your opposing teeth.
- All-ceramic or all-porcelain: Dental crowns made entirely of ceramic or porcelain more closely mimic a tooth’s natural color than other options and cause less wear and tear on the enamel of your opposing teeth. They are a great option for patients with metal allergies.
- Metals: Dental crowns with gold, silver, or platinum alloys are extremely durable and can withstand biting and chewing. They last longer than other options, but their gold color makes them less aesthetically pleasing, and they may be prohibitively expensive for some patients.
Additionally, dental crowns may be temporary or permanent. Temporary crowns are typically acrylic or stainless steel and used as a stopgap measure while permanent crowns are being made in a dental laboratory.
Dental Crowns Procedure
The dental crown procedure typically involves two appointments. During the first visit, your Janesville dentist will examine the tooth, remove a small amount of enamel to create space for the crown, and take an impression of the tooth. A temporary crown will be placed to protect the tooth while the permanent crown is created in a dental lab.
At the second appointment, the dentist will remove the temporary crown, check the shape, color, and fit of the permanent crown, and cement it into place.
Dental crowns are a long-lasting dental restoration that can improve the health, function, and appearance of your teeth. If you have a damaged or weakened tooth, schedule an appointment with a Janesville dentist at O’Leary Dental today!
