Crown

A crown is a dental restoration that covers a tooth to restore it to its normal shape, size, and function. The purpose of a crown is to strengthen or improve the appearance of a tooth. There are several uses a crown can be put to, including: restoring a tooth when there isn't enough tooth remaining to provide support for a large filling, attaching a bridge to replace the missing teeth, protecting a weak tooth from fracturing, restoring a fractured tooth, covering a badly shaped or discolored tooth, or covering a dental implant.

There are several types of materials a crown can be made from, including: metal alloys, ceramics, porcelain, composite resin, or combinations of these materials. What material(s) your dentist decides upon depends on the tooth location, the position of the gum tissue, the amount of tooth that shows when you smile, the color or shade of the tooth, and the function of the tooth. When making a crown, the material is often colored to blend in with your natural teeth. In order to make the crown look natural and feel comfortable, your dentist will consider the color, occlusion (bite), shape and length of your natural teeth, and your artificial crown.

To prevent damage to a crown, avoid chewing hard foods, ice or other hard objects. This is especially important for tooth-colored crowns. Brush twice daily, floss or use an interdental cleaner once a day to remove plaque, and schedule regular examinations and professional teeth cleaning with your dentist. To explore the procedure for placing a crown, click on the 'crown' link in the services section.