Crowns
A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that goes over an existing tooth to correct a variety of dental issues. Dental crowns are typically recommended when a tooth has decayed too badly on the outside to be replaced with a general filling. The crown provides protection for the remainder of the tooth and root structure. Crowns can fix cracked, chipped, or gapped teeth, replace missing teeth with implants, hold bridges in place, cover misshapen teeth, and more. Using a crown in these circumstances will help solidify and protect the remaining tooth.
Crowns can be made from a variety of materials but are generally made from porcelain for its close resemblance to the look and feel of natural teeth. These restorations are customized to your unique smile, so that the crown fits comfortably in your bite and returns functionality and beauty back to your teeth.
Fitting a Crown
Fitting a dental crown would typically involve a two-visit procedure. The first visit usually consists of preparing the tooth. Your dentist will remove any remnants of the decayed tooth and file the outer layer down to make room for the crown itself. After the tooth is prepared, the dentist will then take impressions of the tooth and surrounding teeth for the fitting. This is then sent off to a dental lab for manufacturing of the permanent crown. A temporary crown will be set in place for the interim until your next visit.
Once the permanent crown is ready to be fitted you will come in for your second visit. At this time, we will remove your temporary crown and cement your permanent crown in with a permanent cement. After the second visit is over, your crown should look, function and feel like a regular tooth!
When you come into Menomonie Dental for a crown, we’ll use the latest digital x-ray and diagnostic technologies to determine the extent of the damage to your tooth structure. We’ll help you decide if a dental crown is a right choice for you.