Crowns
A crown is a permanent covering that fits over an original tooth that is decayed, damaged or cracked. Crowns are made of a variety of different materials such as porcelain, gold, acrylic resin or a mix of these materials. Porcelain generally has the most natural appearance, although it is often less durable. Dr. Feret can determine which material is best for your specific case.
A crown can strengthen and improve the appearance of a tooth and may be placed for numerous reasons.
- Protect weak teeth from fracturing
- Cover discolored or badly shaped teeth
- Restore fractured teeth
- Cover a dental implant
- Attach a bridge
- Support a large filling when there is little tooth remaining
The treatment plan for a patient receiving a crown involves:
Numbing the tooth to remove the decay in or around it.
Resculpting the tooth to provide an ideal fit for the crown.
Making an impression of your teeth in order to create a custom-made crown (usually takes one to two weeks).
Making a temporary crown out of acrylic resin and fitting it onto the tooth during the interim period when the permanent custom-made crown is being created.
Applying the permanent crown (when received from the lab) by removing the temporary crown and fitting the permanent one onto the tooth.
After ensuring that the crown has the proper look and fit, Dr. Feret cements it into place.
This process generally consists of a minimum of 2-3 visits over a 3-4 week period.
Once the procedure is completed, proper dental hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing, is required to maintain healthy, bacteria-free teeth, gums and crowns. This helps in the prevention of gum disease. Given proper care, your crowns can last a lifetime.
