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A crown can be used to restore the shape, appearance and function of a tooth if it has been damaged. A crown may be necessary if you have had a root canal, a large filling in a tooth or a broken tooth.
A crown is completed in 2 appointments, the preparation appointment, which is the longer of the two, and then the seating/cementation appointment. During the first appointment the tooth is reduced on all sides including the top to make room for the crown. This is also when any decay (cavity) is removed and filled accordingly. The dentist will take an impression of your teeth and make a temporary crown, which will stay on for approximately 10 days until the permanent custom crown is ready to be cemented (at the second appointment).
The crown will be made in a laboratory on a model created by the impression that was taken at your first appointment.
The second appointment of the crown procedure involves seating and cementing the permanent custom crown. The temporary crown is removed and the final crown is seated into place. This may involve some adjustments, and then the crown is cemented onto the tooth.
A crown may be indicated if your tooth breaks and there is insufficient natural tooth structure to support a filling. If there is a large fracture on a back tooth a crown would be the next logical step. Large fillings can sometimes be placed, but if the tooth has fractured once already, it will most likely fracture again.
It is advisable to crown a tooth after it has had root canal therapy. Root canal therapy weakens the crown of the tooth, and in order to protect it against breakage, the tooth should be protected by a crown. Your dentist will discuss this treatment with you after the root canal treatment is completed.
Crowns are strong and generally last for about 10 years or longer if they are well taken care of. You must brush and floss your crown as you clean your natural teeth. It is very important to see your dentist and hygienist regularly so that any active decay, or gum disease can be detected and treated early to prolong the life of your crowns. You should remember to treat your crowns with respect, and not bite down on hard objects, or use your teeth to open or tear things.
Crowns can be made using various types of materials. Your dentist will suggest a material, or combination of materials based on what is right for you. Different materials used for crowns include:
Metal Crowns - They will not chip or break. They tend not to wear down your opposing natural teeth.
Porcelain Crowns - They look natural and are commonly used for esthetics. They are more brittle than metal crowns, but look beautiful when cemented in place.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal Crowns- They look natural and are stronger than porcelain crowns. They will not chip as easily as porcelain crowns. The one concern is that the metal might show if your gums thin or shrink.