Dental Crowns
Crowns are a cosmetic restoration used to strengthen a tooth or improve its shape. Crowns are most often used for teeth that are broken, worn, or partially destroyed by tooth decay. A crown "caps" your tooth, fully covering the portion above the gum line and becoming your tooth's new outer surface.
When Are Crowns Needed?
- When there is insufficient tooth structure remaining to hold a filling
- To protect a weak tooth from breaking
- To restore a broken or severely worn tooth
- To cover and support a tooth with a large filling
- To hold a dental bridge in place
- To cover a dental implant
- To cover a tooth that has had a root canal
Materials
Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, zirconia, or a combination. Dr. Song will recommend the best material based on the tooth's location, function, and your aesthetic preferences.
The Process
Unlike fillings that apply material directly into your mouth, a crown is fabricated in a dental laboratory from a precise impression of your tooth. This allows the technician to examine all aspects of your bite and jaw movements. Your crown is then sculpted to fit perfectly so your bite and jaw function normally once it's placed.
Need a crown or have a broken tooth?
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