Broken tooth? Badly decayed tooth? Don’t Panic you probably won’t lose the tooth! Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique and Spa can Save your tooth with a Dental Crown.

What Is A Dental Crown?

A tooth-shaped cap that is placed over your tooth is known as a dental crown. This can be used on your tooth to restore its original:

• Shape
• Size
• Strength

A crown can also be used to improve the appearance of your current tooth. When you have a crown cemented in place, it will fully encase the visible portion of your tooth that is at the gum line or above it. Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique & Spa can restore natural radiance to your tooth at our one-of-a-kind dental boutique.

Reasons For A Dental Crown

You may need a dental crown for any of the following reasons:

• Protect a weak tooth from breaking completely
• Restore a tooth that has been ruthlessly worn down
• Cover a misshapen tooth
• Cover a tooth that is severely discolored
• Make a cosmetic modification

Adults and children can get dental crowns for a multitude of reasons. If you think that you need a crown, let Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique & Spa help you achieve a glistening white smile!

Types Of Crowns Available

There is not just one type of dental crown that is available, which you can read more about here. Permanent dental crowns can be made from the following materials:

• All metal (gold, nickel, or another alloy)- These can withstand chewing and biting, and last the longest. These types rarely break or chip but the metallic color may be a drawback to most adults who don’t want their crown visible. These are most commonly used for molars that are out of sight.
• Porcelain fused to metal– These can be color-matched to your current teeth or tooth. These can break or wear down the surrounding teeth. Crowns that use porcelain fused to metal look like normal teeth and are commonly used for front or back teeth and with long bridges where the metal is needed for extra strength.
• All resin– Less expensive than other crowns but are prone to fracturing and may wear down more quickly than other types. They are most commonly used as a temporary fix.
• All ceramic– These offer you the best color match and are great for people that suffer from metal allergies. These are most commonly used for front teeth.

Difference Between Temporary And Permanent Crowns

If you need a dental crown, you may be concerned with which option is best for you. Temporary vs Permanent Crowns Temporary crowns are generally made in the office and are made of stainless steel or acrylic. These will be used until your permanent crown is ready. Your permanent crown will be constructed in a lab. The use of a temporary crown will keep your tooth from breaking completely, stop it from cracking further, or eliminate any tooth pain that you are currently experiencing.

The Placement Of A Crown Is Often Recommended:

• to reinforce a tooth which is cracked or broken
• to repair a tooth which has an old large filling
• to cover a tooth which is severely decayed
• to reinforce a tooth that has had a root canal
• to encase a dental implant
• to anchor a dental bridge

Crowns strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and can improve the appearance of your smile.

Types of crowns include the full porcelain crown (ideal for use on the front teeth), the porcelain-fused-to-metal crown and the all-metal crown (ideal for use on the back teeth).

The Dental Crown Procedure

• Before placing the crown on the tooth, the tooth will be shaped to make room for it.
• Then an impression of the tooth and the surrounding teeth is taken.
• A temporary acrylic crown is placed on the tooth.
• When the permanent crown is ready (1-2 weeks normally), the temporary crowns are replaced.

How Long Do Crowns Last?

Your dental crown will last between five and 15 years on average. While this is a large gap, it depends on a variety of things such as:

• Amount of wear and tear the crown is exposed to
• Your oral hygiene practices
• Mouth-related habits (personal)
  • Grinding teeth
  • Clenching teeth
  • Chewing ice
  • Biting your nails
  • Using your teeth to open packages

We will go over practices that you should follow so that you can get the most life out of your dental crown.