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Crowns

Crowns are synthetic caps, usually made of a material like porcelain, placed on the top of a tooth.

There are several reasons why a tooth may need a crown. Crowns are needed when a tooth can no longer be filled, when the decay is too
advanced/extensive.

If a tooth is cracked a crown is needed to act as a brace and can help eliminate pain from a cracked tooth.

Crowns are also needed after most root canals, teeth can become brittle after a root canal.

Crowns can also be used to improve the look of your smile, when veneers are not a good option.


Procedures

A tooth must usually be reduced in size to accommodate a crown. A cast is made of the existing tooth and an impression is made. The impression is sent to a special lab, which manufactures a custom-designed crown. In some cases, a temporary crown is applied until the permanent crown is ready. Permanent crowns are cemented in place.

Crowns are sometimes confused with veneers, but they are quite different. Veneers are typically applied only to relatively small areas.

Caring For Your Crowns

With proper care, a good quality crown could last up to eight years or longer. It is very important to floss in the area of the crown to avoid excess plaque or collection of debris around the restoration.

Certain behaviors such as jaw clenching or bruxism (teeth grinding) significantly shorten the life of a crown. Moreover, eating brittle foods, ice or hard candy can compromise the adhesion of the crown, or even damage the crown.