What is a dental crown?

A crown is a piece of metal, plastic, ceramic, or porcelain that covers a damaged tooth. It’s designed in the shape of the original tooth and can improve its appearance and strength.

The crown is placed on top of the original tooth, completely covering the area of the tooth that can be seen above the gumline. It’s then sealed in place with a special cement.

Are dental crowns a good fit for me?

There are a variety of reasons the experienced dentists at IPI of Torrance may suggest a crown. A crown can cover a strangely shaped or dark tooth, or a dental implant.

While dental crowns can restore your smile’s beauty, they’re more than a cosmetic solution. They can also be a reliable solution for teeth that need strengthening as a result of severe decay, cracks, fractures, or fillings.

When is a crown used for a bridge?

Crowns may also be applied to teeth adjacent to a missing tooth, or teeth, to form a bridge. Healthy teeth that surround the gap are filed down to receive the crowns. A false tooth (or teeth) are attached to these crowns to fill the space where your tooth or teeth used to be.

Bridges are a way to restore your smile and replace gaps in your mouth. They help you maintain your face shape, eating and speaking function, and prevent your remaining teeth from shifting due to the spaces left by missing teeth.

Which kind of crown is right for my teeth?

Dental crowns can be constructed from many materials, including:

• Stainless steel
• Gold or another alloy
• Porcelain fused to metal
• Resin
• Ceramic

Different materials are used for different purposes. For instance, stainless steel is usually the preferred material for temporary crowns. Stainless steel crowns are often prefabricated and a frequent choice for children who need crowns on baby teeth.

Metal crowns are sturdy and able to endure the impact of biting and chewing, but due to their color, they’re usually reserved for use on back molars.

Porcelain fused to metal crowns have a more natural appearance than metal crowns, but they do come with some downsides. For example, the opposing teeth may suffer more wear and tear than they would with other types of crowns. The metal portion of the crown might also be visible as a dark line near the gums.

All-ceramic crowns are the best option for men and women with metal allergies. All-resin crowns are cheaper than many other types of crowns, but more susceptible to wear and tear and therefore, cracking.

What should I expect when I get a crown?

A dental crown procedure generally involves two visits to IPI of Torrance, at a minimum. The first visit includes X-rays so that your dentist can assess the health of the tooth that requires the crown.

Next, your dentist administers anesthesia, then builds up or files down the original tooth so the crown attaches securely. After that, they take an impression of your teeth that gets sent to a dental lab and used to create a custom crown. Your dentist places a temporary crown over your tooth until the permanent crown is completed.

If you’re getting a bridge, the doctors at IPI of Torrance attach the bridge to crowns placed on adjacent teeth. You may have a temporary bridge at first while a permanent one is created in a lab based on a foam impression of your mouth taken at the office.  

To learn more about dental crowns and bridges, or if you think you might need a crown replaced, call IPI of Torrance or make an appointment online today.