Why do I need a crown?
If you want a smile that’s your crowning glory, you may need a crown, sometimes called a "cap" to cover a tooth to help restore it to its normal shape and size. A crown can make your tooth stronger and improve its appearance.
A crown can help strengthen a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining to hold the filling. We often see this on the very back molars when a corner or cusp of the tooth breaks away. Crowns can also be placed proactively to protect a weak tooth and prevent it from breaking. A crown is a good way to cover teeth that are discolored from an injury or tetracycline staining or are badly shaped, too small or too large. It’s also used to cover a dental implant.
If your dentist recommends a crown, it is probably to correct one of these conditions. Your dentist’s primary concern, like yours, is helping you keep your teeth healthy and your smile bright. At Duvall Family Dental, we will show you photographs of your tooth, explain it's condition and why a crown may be recommended for you.
Crowns are made out of a variety of materials at a dental laboratory. The dentist will choose the material that is the most appropriate for the individual situation depending on whether the need is strength or esthetics or a combination of both.
The Process:
The crown procedure consists of two separate visits. During the first appointment, the tooth is prepared for the crown with local anesthetic. An impression or imprint of the prepared tooth is taken, and a temporary tooth-colored acrylic crown is placed over the tooth. The impressions are sent to a dental laboratory where the dental crown will be manufactured. During the second visit, the temporary crown is removed, the fit and esthetics of the final crown are evaluated. The crown is then placed on the tooth with a permanent dental adhesive.
A crown is the definitive royal treatment for a broken tooth. For more information or to schedule you and your family for a dental exam and cleaning, please call us at (425) 318-7689. Dr. Jessica Chen at Duvall Family Dental is a caring and compassionate dentist looking forward to answering your questions.