If you grind your teeth, have an improper bite, aging teeth, poor chewing patterns, fillings and tooth decay then it may be well worth discussing dental crowns with our participating cosmetic dentists as these can all be contributing factors in the wearing down, cracking or breakage of your teeth. Crowns are a cover or cap that is fitted on your affected tooth to improve its strength, durability and appearance. Crowns are also used to replace a missing tooth.

2. How dental crowns benefit you?

Dental crowns can dramatically improve the appearance of your teeth. Crowns in general add strength to weakened or worn teeth. Crowns can replace missing teeth. Provides support to misshapen teeth or badly broken teeth. Fixes major "smile" and functional chewing problems. Looks completely natural. Porcelain crowns or new reinforced resin are considered to be the most aesthetically pleasing as it is easily matched in color to the surrounding teeth. What are dental crowns? A dental crown, also known as dental caps, is an artificial material used to replace large parts of a tooth or a whole tooth that has been fractured or decayed. Crowns fit over and cover the outside of teeth starting at the gum line. They are usually made of gold, porcelain or a combination of both.

3. How the procedure is performed?

The "capping" procedure takes place under anesthetic. As the crown is about two millimeters thick, the dentist first shaves this same amount off your existing tooth to avoid awkward-looking, oversized teeth. The dentist will also re-shape your tooth into a form upon which a cap can easily sit. The dentist will then make a replica of your tooth. Usually, this replica will be a putty mold. This mold is then sent to a laboratory where the crown will be made based on this mold. In the case of a porcelain crown, the dentist will choose a shade close to the color of the surrounding teeth. You will return about two weeks later to have the crown fitted and once both you and your dentist are satisfied with the "look and feel" of the crown, it will be cemented over your original tooth.

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