Whether you have a tooth that’s decayed, cracked, or weakened by root canal treatment, a dental crown can help restore its strength and appearance. At Van Dyke General and Implant Dentistry, we offer custom dental crowns designed to protect weakened teeth and blend naturally with your smile. Let us help you achieve a strong, natural-looking smile — schedule a consultation with one of our dentists today!
Dental crowns are a kind of full-coverage tooth restoration in which a protective cap is placed over a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its strength, shape, and appearance. Crowns are often recommended for teeth that are cracked, fractured, decayed, or require reinforcement after a significant filling. Crafted from durable materials such as porcelain and metal, crowns can be custom-made to fit comfortably and function just like a natural tooth. If you’re dealing with a weakened or damaged tooth, Van Dyke General and Implant Dentistry can help protect it from further damage with a custom-crafted dental crown!
Dental crowns come in a few different materials, each offering unique benefits. During your appointment with our team, we’ll help you determine the ideal dental crown type for your unique needs. Below, we outline a couple of the most common kinds of dental crowns!
Crowns made from gold and other high noble metals have the benefit of high strength and durability. In the posterior region, gold crowns are often the first choice for preserving tooth structure and providing longevity. The only downside is not being tooth colored; however, in the back of the mouth, this is not usually an issue. Your dentist will discuss the pros and cons of materials on a case-by-case basis to choose the right crown for you.
For patients who desire a natural-looking tooth crown that has the highest degree of color to match surrounding teeth, crowns made from porcelain, zirconia, and similar materials are typically ideal. Porcelain and zirconia are among the materials we use to match a natural tooth. Depending on the area of the mouth and the aesthetic demand, we choose the appropriate material to make the strongest crown while trying to blend with the natural teeth.
With porcelain crowns, patients do not need to worry about noticing a dark line that is seen at the gumline with porcelain that is fused to metal crowns. Because there are fewer aesthetic issues with porcelain crowns, we recommend them for front teeth, though they may sometimes be used for back teeth as well.
Getting a dental crown typically requires two visits. During the initial appointment, our dental team prepares the tooth by removing any decay and reshaping it to ensure a secure fit for the crown. Once we’ve achieved the ideal shape, we then take impressions or digital scans of the tooth so a custom crown that matches the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth can be created. While the permanent crown is being crafted, a temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth in the meantime.
Once the crown is ready, the patient returns to our office, at which time we cement the crown into place and ensure a perfect fit, look, and bite. For more information about the dental crown procedure, please contact Van Dyke General and Implant Dentistry!
The mouth is a complex environment, and a wide range of factors can affect the longevity of a crown in a patient. Factors contributing to a dental crown’s longevity can include a patient’s daily oral hygiene habits, the amount and severity of day-to-day wear the dental crown is subject to, and other considerations. With proper care, dental crowns can remain strong and functional for years. To help extend the functional lifespan of your dental crown, you should: