Designed to completely enclose or “cap” a tooth, a dental crown can restore the health, function, and appearance of your smile. Unlike the crowns of royalty, dental crowns aren’t purely for aesthetics. Although they can improve the shape, size, and color of your teeth, they’re also used to repair damaged teeth that need protection.
Dr. Wilkinson may recommend a custom crown for a variety of reasons, including the following:
- To enhance the aesthetics of your smile
- To restore a tooth that is cracked, uneven, or fractured
- To repair a decayed tooth
- To protect a tooth treated by root canal therapy
- To complete a dental implant
To apply the crown, Dr. Wilkinson will numb the tooth and surrounding gum tissue. The tooth will be filed down a bit to make room for the crown. However, if the tooth has an area missing already (if it was chipped or decayed, for example), it may need to be built back up with a filling material. Once your tooth has been reshaped, an impression will be made so that the crown will fit your tooth’s shape and measurements exactly. Then, Dr. Wilkinson will permanently cement the crown into place. This is a simple, painless process.
Most of our crowns are made of materials like porcelain, which can easily mimic a tooth’s natural color while still providing strength and durability. Through careful color matching and an accurate impression, we will ensure that your crown complements your other teeth in shade and shape, providing the most natural-looking result possible. Plus, utilizing CEREC technology, we can offer custom-made dental crowns in our office in just one visit! CEREC uses a CAD/CAM system that has been on the market for 30 years, and over 250 scientific studies have confirmed the safety of its tooth restoration products, including crowns. This technology ensures that you will receive an efficient product in a very short amount of time.
Your crown will look just like a regular tooth, and you can treat it like a regular tooth as well. Brush and floss as you always do, because a crowned tooth is not immune to decay or gum disease.
If you notice any discomfort, such as pain or sensitivity, or if your crown becomes chipped or feels loose, contact our office to schedule an appointment so that Dr. Wilkinson can address the problem. In rare cases, a crown may fall off due to an improper fit or a lack of adhesive. If this happens, please give us a call immediately so that we can give you instructions on how to care for your tooth until the crown is cemented back into place (or until a new crown is made and applied).
A typical crown will last between 5 and 15 years. Good oral hygiene can help your crown last longer, but you should also avoid grinding and clenching your teeth, chewing ice, munching on sticky foods (like caramel), and exposing your teeth to tough materials.
With basic cleaning and some dietary care, your crown will remain functional and keep you smiling for many years to come!
Crowns Testimonial
“Dr. Wilkinson is a perfectionist and when his task is completed you are left with a beautiful set of teeth. He and his staff are friendly and make you feel so comfortable. It was a pain free, pleasant experience.”
“Amazing! The Wilkinson Dental staff are good people who truly listen and treat you like family. They gave me back my life, I look in the mirror and see the real me. I can smile now!”
