Crowns Specialist

What are crowns?

Crowns are dental restorations that can improve the form and the function of your teeth. Dental crowns can help you reach a range of different goals for your oral health and wellness, including:

• Holding the pieces of a broken tooth together
• Making a tooth stronger
• Protecting a tooth from further damage
• Protecting a tooth after a root canal
• Restoring a worn-down or broken tooth
• Covering a dental implant to replace a tooth entirely
• Improving the appearance of a tooth

You also have several options for the material of your crown, including ceramic, porcelain, and various metals. The team at Vasona Family Dentistry can help you weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each option. 

How are dental crowns placed?

Getting a crown usually involves more than one appointment at Vasona Family Dentistry. After your dentist prepares a damaged, decayed, or unattractive tooth by reducing its size, they take impressions of the tooth to create a crown that fits over it perfectly. They also make sure the shape of the outside of the crown matches the original shape and size of the tooth so it doesn’t affect your bite. If you’re getting a ceramic or porcelain crown, they take note of the color of your teeth to create a crown that matches them.

During the period between appointments, you can wear a temporary crown to protect the tooth. Once your crown is ready, you’ll come back to Vasona Family Dentistry for the team to fix it to your tooth. They check to make sure the crown fits perfectly before cementing it in place. They may give you local anesthesia to make sure the process isn’t uncomfortable for you. 

If you need a crown to cover a dental implant, the process is a bit different. The team attaches the crown to the abutment of your dental implant after you’ve healed from dental implant surgery. 

How long do crowns last?

The amount of time your dental crown lasts depends on its material and how well you care for it. The average lifespan of a dental crown is between five and 15 years. You can maximize your crown’s life by:

• Avoiding teeth grinding 
• Avoiding chewing on solid objects like popcorn seeds and ice cubes
• Brushing and flossing daily
• Getting regular cleanings and exams

If your crown breaks, accumulates wear and tear, or just doesn’t look as great as it did when you first got it, it may be time for a replacement. The team at Vasona Family Dentistry can tell you exactly how long you can expect your crown to last according to its material and its position in your mouth. 

If you’d like to improve the appearance or strength of a tooth with a durable dental crown, call Vasona Family Dentistry or schedule a consultation online today.