A dental crown (also known as a cap) is a dental restoration that is placed over a tooth when a conservative restoration is insufficient to restore form and function. Crowns are often necessary because of broken down old fillings, fractured or chipped teeth and following root therapy. Crowns can also be used to improve the appearance of natural teeth that are malformed, mispositioned or discolored.
Crowns strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and can improve the appearance of your teeth. There are various types of crowns available including all porcelain crowns, porcelain fused-to-metal crowns and all-metal crowns. Dr. Weller will decide which type of crown is appropriate, depending upon the strength requirements and aesthetic concerns of the tooth involved.
The crowns are fabricated at a professional dental laboratory and normally require two visits. During your first visit, the tooth is prepared for the crown, an impression is made of the tooth, and a temporary crown is placed over the prepared tooth. At the subsequent visit, the temporary crown is removed and the final crown is fitted, adjusted and cemented into place.