Dental Crowns (Caps)

A dental crown, or cap, is a type of dental restoration device used to cover up a tooth or dental implant at and above the gum line. A crown is essentially the new outside covering of a tooth. Dental crowns are usually implemented to strengthen a decaying tooth, restore a chipped tooth, or improve the overall appearance of a tooth.

Preparing a dental crown for a patient is a long process that requires two separate appointments. During the first appointment, the dentist will numb the patient’s tooth and nearby gum tissue with anesthesia. Next, the dentist will reshape the tooth. This requires taking off a thin outside layer of the tooth. This thickness will match the thickness of the crown so that the tooth retains its size later on. The dentist may also have to shave off some areas more than others to make it fit comfortably inside the cap, or in situations where the patient has a chipped tooth, he may have to build up certain areas. Then, a putty material is used to make an impression of the tooth. This impression will be sent to a dental technician and used as a cast to create the actual crown. This process can take up to two weeks. During the second appointment when the crown is ready, the dentist will cement the crown in the patient’s mouth. There will then be a final inspection by both the dentist and patient to see if the crown is satisfactory.

The two most popular types of crowns made of metal or ceramic. Metal crowns, such as those made of gold, are strong yet malleable. This means dentists have an easier time making a metal crown with the perfect fit, and patients feel more comfortable. They are also strong and last longer than ceramic caps, and they do not wear away enamel of other teeth it comes into contact with due to biting or chewing. However, metal caps are gold or silver, so they are usually only used for teeth that are not visible when smiling, such as molars. Ceramic or porcelain crowns, on the other hand, have the best look. They have a translucent quality and blend in with other teeth. However, they are not as strong or durable as metal caps.

Dental crowns have the power to restore a beautiful smile. For more information on crowns, please contact your local dentist’s office.