Restorative Dentistry
Crowns
Cosmetic dentists use dental crowns for restorative and cosmetic purposes. They restore shape and size, strengthen and improve the appearance of teeth that are broken, chipped, worn, decayed, discolored or misaligned. Crowns also are used to hold dental bridges in place and to cover dental implants.
A crown procedure usually is completed in two dental visits. During the initial visit, the dentist applies a local anesthetic and reduces the tooth in size through a contouring process so the crown will fit snugly at the gumline and protect the remainder of the natural tooth once it is permanently placed.
After the contouring procedure, an impression of the tooth is taken and sent to a dental laboratory, where the crown is made. It typically takes a dental lab about two weeks to craft a crown.
A temporary crown is placed over the tooth until its permanent replacement is ready. The second dental visit involves fitting the permanent crown onto the tooth. Some minor adjustments may be required at this appointment to get the crown properly seated. It is important that the crown fits securely and doesn’t alter the patient’s bite. Once all adjustments are made, the crown is sealed into place with a bonding material.
Because of the modern materials used to create them, dental crowns are a great cosmetic option because of their natural appearance. Varieties of crowns that Dr. Anderson uses include porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-porcelain, all-ceramic, and all resin.
