Crowns
For a smile that’s truly your crowning glory, crowns can restore your teeth to their natural shape and size while strengthening your bite and improving your appearance.
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WHAT IS A CROWN?
Crowns are a long-term aesthetic solution to repair broken down, unattractive, weak, fractured or decayed teeth.
If your dentist recommends a crown, it’s probably to correct one of these conditions. At Ulery Dental & Orthodontics, our primary concern, like yours, is helping you keep your teeth healthy and your smile bright. Talk to your dentist to find out whether a crown may be the right treatment for your smile.
INDICATIONS
A crown may be needed when:
- A tooth has a large filling, and the existing tooth structure has become weakened or can no longer support the filling.
- A tooth has experienced extensive damage by decay.
- Teeth suffer from discolorations or compromised aesthetics.
- A tooth has experienced a dental fracture.
- A patient has undergone a root canal, since these teeth tend to become brittle and are more apt to fracture.
- When missing teeth are replaced with a bridge, the adjacent teeth require crowns in order to support the replacement teeth.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What preparation is needed for a crown?
Your Ulery dentist will prepare the damaged tooth for a crown by reducing and reshaping the tooth so that your customized crown will fit properly.
Are impressions needed for a crown?
After the tooth has been prepared, an impression is taken of the tooth and the surrounding teeth. After the impression is taken, the dentist makes and applies a temporary crown to protect the prepared tooth between visits.
How do I care for a temporary crown?
Take care to avoid hard or sticky foods while wearing the temporary crown. This is important. If the temporary crown comes loose, the dentist should be notified to schedule a visit if recommended. Not doing so could damage the prepared tooth underneath the temporary crown.
What happens after my dentist takes impressions?
The impression is sent to a dental laboratory where models of the tooth and surrounding teeth are made. Using the models, the dental lab technicians carefully create the permanent crown, which will be an exact fit to the prepared tooth.
How is the crown fitted?
At the second appointment, the dentist replaces the temporary crown with the permanent one. The crown is placed on the tooth—making sure it restores the tooth to its proper shape, looks good, and feels comfortable against the opposing teeth.
If necessary, the dentist will adjust the crown by modifying the shape. Once the patient and doctor agree the crown fits comfortably, it is cemented into place.
Examples