A dental crown is a cap that we place over a damaged tooth to restore its strength, shape and appearance. We use them for teeth that require a root canal treatment, large fillings or to hold broken and crooked teeth.
There are different types of crowns and they come in a wide range of materials. Some of them are porcelain or ceramic, while others are made of metal alloys or resin.
Aesthetics
When a tooth is too damaged for dental fillings, such as extensive decay or a root canal, or it is broken, a crown can restore the strength and appearance of the tooth. A crown can also improve the look of a misshapen or discolored tooth, serve as an anchor for a dental bridge, or complete a dental implant procedure.
Dental crowns Freehold NJ are custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth. They can be made of porcelain or ceramic, a metal-free zirconia, or a precious metal alloy (gold, silver, or a combination).
Porcelain crowns provide the most natural aesthetic, though they aren’t as strong as crowns bonded to metal. The porcelain is layered in multiple shades and translucencies to mimic the look of a healthy, natural tooth. At VC Dental, we use CEREC machine technology to construct and produce state-of-the-art, natural-looking porcelain crowns, inlays and onlays in a single office visit.
Strength
A crown is a cap that covers an existing tooth to improve its appearance and strength. It can be used to replace a broken tooth, an old filling or a root canal tooth. It can also help fill gaps between teeth, support a dental bridge or cover a dental implant.
A dental crown consists of a synthetic material like porcelain or ceramic that is fitted to an existing tooth. They are designed to mimic the translucent beauty of natural teeth. They are highly durable and can last for a lifetime with proper care. They can also prevent future decay and weakening of the tooth.
The tooth and the soft tissue surrounding it will be numbed before preparing it for a crown. There are several materials that can be used for a crown such as metal alloys, porcelain fused to zirconia or e.max all ceramics which are fabricated using the latest generation of cosmetically appealing and biocompatible dental materials that provide a great balance between strength and esthetics.
Durability
Crowns are typically used when a tooth’s shape, size and strength cannot be restored with traditional fillings. They are also needed to restore broken or decayed teeth, cover large fillings, encase dental implants, or protect teeth following root canal treatment.
The durability of a crown is dependent on the material used and your oral hygiene habits. If you brush, floss, rinse, and don’t engage in unhealthy mouth-related habits (like biting nails or clenching/grinding your teeth), your crown can last for up to 15 years before it needs replacement.
Before a crown can be created, the dentist will treat the existing tooth to prevent further damage or infection, and remove bacteria, decayed tissue, and dead cells. Then, the area will be shaped, sized, and cleaned and an impression will be made to create a custom-designed crown that fits over the existing tooth. The dentist will cement the crown in place to restore functionality, comfort and a healthy smile.
Comfort
Crowns protect teeth that are damaged or decayed from further damage. They are used to cap teeth with large fillings, cover broken tooth structures or extensive decay and prevent cracked or dislocated teeth. They also restore a tooth’s function and appearance following a restorative procedure like root canal therapy.
To create a crown, the tooth must be numbed and reduced in size. An impression is then taken of the existing tooth and sent to a laboratory to manufacture a custom-designed crown. The dentist tries on the crown and makes any necessary adjustments to ensure it looks, feels and functions as natural as possible before cementing it in place permanently.
Dental implants are another popular and effective restorative treatment that replaces missing teeth. During this process, a titanium cylinder is surgically implanted into the jaw bone. Then, a tooth-colored crown is cemented on top to complete the artificial “new” tooth. Dental crowns Freehold NJ can be fabricated to perfectly match the color, shape and size of surrounding teeth, making them indistinguishable from permanent teeth.