Crowns

What are crowns?

Crowns are a prosthetic type of dental device that covers the natural tooth. Crowns are custom made to match the natural tooth in shape and size so they look completely natural. A dental crown is affixed to the tooth using a strong bonding agent, making it a long-term solution.

When do you need a crown?

There are many reasons that a dental crown may be needed. Crowns are designed to give extra strength to the natural tooth in cases where the tooth has been compromised in some way. One of the most common uses for crowns is after root canal treatment. Since this surgery extracts the infected tissue from the middle of the tooth, the outer part of the tooth is left in a more fragile state. The crown covers the remaining healthy tooth to give it full strength again.

Crowns can also be used to cover:

• Chipped teeth
  
• Cracked teeth
  
• Unstable tooth fillings
  
• Discolored teeth

What are the options in dental crowns?

There are three types of crowns in use today. These include:

• Porcelain crowns: All porcelain crowns that are shaded to match your natural teeth. Modern porcelain is now superior in strength and longevity and appearance. It is the first choice at no additional cost.
  
• Metal crowns: Made from gold alloys or other metal alloys
  
• Porcelain-fused crowns: This crown includes a metal base with porcelain fused to the top of it

What is the process for getting a crown?

First, Dr. Cioffi makes sure that the tooth being treated and the surrounding area are clean and free of plaque and tartar. He then delivers numbing medicine to the treatment area so he can shape your tooth in preparation for the crown. This involves removing a tiny portion of the tooth's natural enamel.

After that, Dr. Cioffi three dimensionally scans the tooth and the surrounding teeth. Finally, a temporary crown is affixed to your tooth. You’ll wear that temporary crown for a couple of weeks while your custom crown is being made. When your custom crown is ready, you'll come back to Dr. Cioffi’s office to have it placed. Once placed, your new crown can last for decades.