Dental Crowns Crowns are recommended not only because they increase the appearance of your smile, but also because they are often a needed step in protecting your teeth, especially after root canal treatment or when your teeth have worn down, cracked or have broken. They can also be used to straighten crooked or misshapen teeth The porcelain crown will be a very natural color, matching your teeth so closely, no one can tell. At our practice, we offer precision-milled porcelain crowns. Using an advanced piece of dental technology known as a CEREC® 3-D system, we are able to precisely craft your porcelain crowns in only one visit, eliminating the need for gooey impressions, temporary crowns or a second appointment. We also make laboratory crowns that go to a master ceramist for manufacturing as well. The Problem: Decayed or broken teeth Rotated or crooked teeth Need to protect teeth The Solution: A crown or “cap” covers the tooth and restores it to its original shape and size. Decay is removed and cleaned from the tooth and a highly accurate impression or mold is made of the prepared tooth. This mold is used to create a model of the tooth which is then sent to a special laboratory.  It can be made of acrylic, metal, porcelain or a combination of metal and porcelain. How is it done? The tooth is filed down just enough to compensate for the thickness of the crown. An impression of the tooth is made and then a crown is mad  either using the CEREC and placed permanently at the same visit or sent to a master ceramist and then placed at a subsequent appointment one to two weeks later. Occasionally, the dental laboratory may need to adjust the shape or color  before cementation if the aesthetics are critical. Advantages: Crowns are incredibly strong due to the fact that they are made of durable materials. This protects and strengthens the remaining tooth structure. In the hands of a skilled dentist, a crown will fit almost perfectly onto the prepared surface of the tooth, reducing the size of the seam between the crown and the tooth. This helps prevent decay from eventually occurring under the crown. If crowns are placed before the tooth is so decayed that it may fracture, it can often help prevent the expense of root canal therapy in the future. It can also prevent the possibility that a fractured tooth may need to be removed, adding the expense of a bridge or implant to replace the missing tooth. Disadvantages: Occasionally, a tooth may still need root canal therapy after being crowned. However, this indicates that the interior of the tooth was already sick (infected) and would have eventually needed root canal therapy anyway, even if you had no previous pain or discomfort. How long does it last? The life span of a crown depends on several factors related to your specific lifestyle  and on the original condition of the tooth; the client’s overall oral health; the quality of homecare; possible clenching or grinding; and even the types of foods that are routinely eaten Elements that can significantly shorten the lifespan of a porcelain crown include: Exposure to excessive biting Too much hard-chewing Tooth grinding Other tooth-trauma Good oral health practices are the key to long-lasting crowns. The teeth that have porcelain crowns should be kept extra clean. If you follow your dentists cleaning recommendations, you can expect your porcelain crowns to possibly last at least up to 15 years and, in many cases, longer. Alternatives: In the event that a tooth is so decayed or fractured that it needs to be removed, the best alternatives to a crown are bridges and implants that replace the missing tooth. For more information on porcelain crowns or to schedule your FREE consultation, please fill out our quick contact form or call us today at 416.800.2542.