What is a crown?
A dental crown, or cap, is a protective covering placed over a damaged tooth that’s customized to match the color, shape, and size of your other teeth. Placing a crown can strengthen your damaged tooth, as well as protect your surrounding teeth from infection and further decay.
Crowns are used for:
- Dark or deformed teeth
- Damaged or severely decayed teeth
- Weakened teeth
- Large, cracked, or unstable fillings
- Teeth that have had a root canal
Crowns also are part of dental implants and fixed bridge dental restorations, which help restore areas where one or more teeth have been lost.
What are crowns made of?
Crowns can be made of a variety of materials, including ceramic, metal, and porcelain. For children, stainless steel crowns are often used to cover decayed baby teeth. This type of crown falls out with the baby tooth when the permanent tooth comes in.
For adults, stainless steel crowns may be used temporarily while you’re waiting for your permanent crown to be created. They may also protect a tooth or other dental work between multi-step procedures, such as getting dental implants or getting a new bridge.
For permanent, adult crowns, Fresh Dental Care uses porcelain, which is durable, long-lasting, and looks like your natural tooth. Porcelain crowns are customized and fitted to your mouth so that they work the best and look most like your other natural teeth.
What does getting a crown involve?
At Fresh Dental Care, getting a crown requires two appointments. Your first appointment includes several steps, including:
- A consultation with your dentist
- Taking molds of your teeth
- Removing decay and preparing the tooth for a new crown
- Placing a temporary crown
Once your crown is ready, you return to have the temporary crown removed and the new crown permanently cemented into place. With your new crown in place, your dentist makes sure that your bite and spacing are correct.
You’re able to use your new crown immediately. Regular dental visits and ongoing oral care will help your crown last a long time, and keep your other teeth healthy as well.
For your own dental crown, call or schedule an appointment online with Fresh Dental Care.
Fresh Dental is located in Houston, TX, and serves the greater Cypress, Katy, Humble, and Porter areas.
