Crowns

Crowns are a cosmetic dental treatment and are used to strengthen a tooth or improve its shape. Typically, crowns are applied to teeth that are broken, worn, or partially destroyed from tooth decay.

When crowns are applied, they are “cemented” onto an existing tooth and fully cover the entire tooth above the gum line. Basically, the crown becomes your tooth’s new outer surface. While crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or both, porcelain crowns are preferred because they better mimic the appearance of natural teeth and are very strong.

Crowns are necessary when a tooth is not strong enough to hold a filling. Unlike fillings, which apply the restorative material directly into your mouth, crowns are fabricated in a lab. A dental laboratory technician will examine your unique tooth impression and all bite and jaw movements. Then, the crown is custom-created specifically for you to ensure that bite and jaw movements function normally after the crown is placed.