If you have been to the dentist, they may have suggested one or more tooth crowns might be right for you. But, what is a tooth crown, and how is it done? In the following article, we answer these questions and discuss the tooth crowning procedure.
A tooth crown is essentially a cap that fits over an existing, damaged tooth. They are also known as dental crowns or caps. A crown fits over the remaining part of a weakened tooth and is cemented in place. A tooth crown is manufactured to have the look and shape of a patient’s natural tooth. The crown’s color can also be blended with that of surrounding teeth so it will not be noticeable.
Candidates for crowning a tooth fall into several categories:
- A tooth may be cracked, or may have been weakened by a large filling
- A patient may have a root filling, which needs to be protected by a tooth crown
- A tooth may be discolored (by stains or a filling), and a patient would like to improve the appearance of the tooth
Tooth crowns are a long-term solution to problem teeth, often lasting between 10 and 15 years. They are made from a variety of materials, including porcelain, precious medal (gold or palladium), porcelain bonded to a precious medal, porcelain and a composite, or glass. Each material has pros and cons – metal crowns are strong but tend to cost more and may appear the least natural; porcelain crowns can appear the most natural but can be weak.
Crowning a tooth can be expensive, and the cost varies widely based on the material selected and the complexity of the procedure to be performed. Prices typically run between $600 – $3100 per tooth crown.
The tooth crowning procedure takes two visits to the dentist. During the first visit, the dentist will prepare a tooth to be crowned by shaping the tooth for the crown with a drill (if necessary) or adding filling, taking an impression of the tooth to be crowned, determining the shade of the crown, and fitting a temporary crown over the tooth.
The second visit will occur in about two weeks, after a laboratory has made the crown from the impression sent by the dentist. During this second visit, the dentist will fit the crown over the tooth and cement it in place.
If a tooth has been root-filled, a dentist may recommend a post crown. These are the same as a crown described above, but the tooth being fitted is drilled off at the level of the gum. A metal post is drilled into the root canal, and a natural-looking crown is fitted over the other end of the post.
As you can see, the tooth crowning procedure is not really that complicated. Although expensive, a tooth crown has the look of a natural tooth, and will last 10 – 15 years. For anyone with weakened or discolored teeth, a tooth crown might be an appropriate option. For more information on “What is a Tooth Crown”, visit AboutCosmeticDentistry.com.
Sources:
Tooth Crowns – AboutCosmeticDentistry.com
