Questions About Dental Crown

Berks County, Reading and Wyomissing, Pennsylvania

What are dental crowns used for?
A dental crown may be needed for any of the following tooth issues:

Protecting a weak tooth
Covering and adding strength to a tooth with a large filling
Restoring cracked, broken, or severely worn teeth
Stabilizing a dental bridge
Covering misshapen and discolored teeth
Covering a dental implant

What materials are dental crowns made from?
Dental crowns can be made from all ceramic (porcelain), all resin (for temporary crowns), porcelain-fused-to-metal or all metal materials. In his practice, when Dr. Schwartz uses metal, he uses only high noble metals with the highest possible noble metal content to minimize the chance of a metal allergy reaction.

What is the difference between temporary and permanent crowns?
Temporary crowns are placed until the patient’s permanent crowns are ready. They are usually made from acrylic plastic or stainless steel. Temporary crowns can be made in the dentist's office. Permanent crowns are generally made in a dental lab, unless the dentist has the ability to create crowns in his own office.

How is a crown placed?
Placing a permanent crown generally requires two visits to Dr. Schwartz's office. During the first visit, Dr. Schwartz will examine your teeth and possibly take a few x-rays. The roots and surrounding bone of the tooth to be crowned will be examined as well. If there is extensive decay or there is a danger of infection, a root canal may need to be performed before placing a crown.

Then your tooth will be prepared to receive the crown. The area around the tooth will be anesthetized (numbed) and the worn or cracked enamel and any old fillings are removed to prepare the tooth for the crown. If a large part of your tooth is missing, filling material may be used to build up the surface of the tooth before the crown is placed.

An impression of the prepared tooth is taken from which the technician will create your crown according to your doctor's specifications and the dimensions of the impression. A temporary crown is placed with a temporary cement. Once your permanent crown is ready, it will be checked for fit and correct color and placed with permanent cement.

How long do dental crowns usually last?
In most cases, a dental crown can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years if proper oral hygiene and care are exercised. Grinding and clenching teeth will wear a crown down much quicker, so it is important to consider neuromuscular treatment to minimize this damage. Also, chewing ice, fingernail biting and opening packages with your teeth tend to wear crowns down much faster.

To learn more about crowns or any other dental procedure, please contact Dr. David A. Schwartz's Family and Cosmetic Dentistry practice in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania today.

Phone: 610.670.6910