What is a crown?
A crown is a restoration that covers, or “caps,” a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size, strengthening and improving the appearance of a tooth. Crowns can be constructed from a variety of materials including gold, full metal, porcelain fused to metal, zirconia, and porcelain.
You may have seen people with crowns that look “fake” or that have a dark line at the gum line of the crowns. This is usually caused by the metal margin of a porcelain fused to metal (or PFM) crown. While PFM crowns were previously the norm, many cosmetic dentists use all porcelain crowns, which provide virtually the same strength but are highly superior in their aesthetic result.
What can crowns fix?
Crowns are necessary when a tooth is broken down or a cavity spans enough surfaces to need full coverage. If a tooth is cracked, the crown holds the tooth together to seal the cracks and prevent further damage. Crowns are also used to support a large filling when there isn’t enough of the tooth remaining, attach a bridge, protect weak teeth from fracturing, restore fractured teeth, or cover badly shaped or discolored teeth.
Traditional crowns require two appointments, a “prep” appointment, where the tooth is prepared for the crown, impressions of the tooth are taken and a temporary is placed, and a seat appointment. The impressions are sent to a lab, where the crown is crafted. At the second appointment, the permanent crown is cemented.
Advancements in technology now allow patients to condense the process into one visit using CERAC crown. For more information on crown in a day, visit our CERAC page.