A crown is a restoration that covers a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size. Its purpose is to strengthen or improve the appearance of a tooth. In our office, almost all crowns are completely ceramic, enhancing esthetics and biocompatibility.
On the first visit, the tooth will be prepared or shaped to accommodate the thickness of the crown. If the tooth has a large previous filling or missing area, the tooth may be rebuilt with a resin-based material that serves as the foundation for the crown. An impression (clinical or digital) is made of the prepared tooth to guide our laboratory in the creation of the final restoration. A temporary crown will be placed. Usually, during a second appointment, the permanent crown will be cemented in place.
Most crowns in our office are made of pure ceramic materials to avoid the use of metals. This avoids the unsightly dark lines at the gum level and creates a restoration that is more biocompatible.
You are a candidate for a crown if you have enough healthy tooth structure above the gum tissue. However, if the tooth is lost, implants or bridges are alternative options.
For a more translucent and natural appearance, her existing crowns were removed and replaced with all-ceramic crowns from our laboratory.