Crowns
Your teeth endure a lot of force and pressure just from everyday use. You probably don’t notice it because your teeth are built to handle that wear and tear. But if a tooth loses some strength it runs a much higher risk of fracturing, which you would absolutely notice! Crowns prevent weakened teeth from fracturing by fortifying the tooth with a strong, tooth shaped cap that fits over your existing tooth. At Park Slope Dentistry Seventh Avenue, Dr. Angelique Freking and associates will fit you with the perfect crown to protect your teeth.
Dental Crowns Q&A
What is a crown?
A crown is a tooth shaped cap that fits perfectly over your existing tooth and provides additional support for everyday wear and tear.
What are some reasons for getting a porcelain crown?
There are multiple reasons your dentist may recommend a crown. Some common reasons include.
To strengthen a tooth after a root canal
To replace a large filling that has become too weak to withstand the normal pressures placed on teeth every day.
To aesthetically improve a tooth that requires more functional support than a veneer can provide.
Why are crowns made of porcelain?
Porcelain is the most advanced, esthetic material modern dentistry can offer for patients who need crowns or special filings called inlays or onlays. The advantage of porcelain is that it contains no metal that can cause gingival or tooth discoloration, and they are much more beautiful and life-like than traditional porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (PFMs) or metal crowns while still providing the same strength.
What is the process for getting fit with a porcelain crown?
Once it’s determined that a porcelain crown is right for you, the process takes two appointments; the first to prepare your tooth for the crown and the second to bond the new crown to your tooth.
In the first appointment Dr. Freking or Dr. Teichman will get you numb and then remove a small amount of tooth structure to make room for the crown. Next they will take an impression of your tooth to send to the dental lab that will make your crown. Finally they will apply a temporary crown on the tooth to prevent tooth movement and so it doesn’t feel weird while we wait to receive your finished crown.
It generally takes two weeks for the dental lab to make your crown. We use the very best labs in the nation that employ artists to expertly craft your beautiful, durable new crown. While your lab work is in process, you should avoid sticky foods like gum, toffee and taffy that may remove your temporary crown.
Once we receive your finished crown, you’ll come back so that we can make sure it looks perfect and bond it in place. If there’s any problem with the fit we will send it back to the lab at no additional cost to you.