Dental Crowns

Dental crowns, also known as "caps," preserve the functionality of damaged teeth that are not candidates for fillings. Crowns encase the entire visible surface of the teeth that have been reshaped (prepared) by the dentist. The crown is held onto the tooth by strong permanent cement. A dental crown may be used to protect a cracked tooth, restore functionality of a tooth with excessive decay or replace a pre-existing crown. A crown may also be used simply to improve the cosmetic appearance of a tooth.

The Dental Crown Clinical Procedure

During the dental crown procedure, your dentist will prepare the tooth and makes an impression of the teeth to send to his dental laboratory. A fitted, temporary crown is created during this visit to temporarily protect the tooth while the final restoration is being made in the dental laboratory. Once completed, the tooth crown is cemented or bonded at a later visit.