A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth to repair the tooth’s shape and size, strength and improve its appearance. When a crown is cemented into place, it fully covers the visible portion of the tooth from the gum line.
The reason a crown might be needed is to protect weak teeth from breaking or to hold together parts of the tooth that might be cracked. They can also be used to restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that is severely worn down, to cover and support a tooth with a large filling where there isn’t a lot of tooth left, to hold a bridge in place, to cover a dental implant, or to make a cosmetic change of a malformed or discolored tooth.
There are many different types of crowns available and they vary from stainless steel, all metal (gold) or porcelain-fused-to-metal, all resin or all ceramic.
When someone gets a crown, a temporary crown is made in the office. Permanent crowns are made in a dental laboratory. Temporary crowns are made of acrylic or stainless steel and can be used temporarily until the permanent crown is constructed and placed usually a couple of weeks later.
If you have any questions about crowns feel free to call our office! 405-843-9731