Table of contents
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a custom-made restoration that is shaped to protect and entirely cover a damaged tooth.
We use crowns to restore teeth that are too damaged for dental fillings, for example, if a cavity is large or where much of the original tooth structure is missing. In this situation, other, smaller restorations, such as dental fillings, would not be strong enough to protect the tooth in the long term.
A crown’s purpose is to restore strength, structure, and appearance to the tooth. It ensures you can bite or chew on the tooth without pain or discomfort.
Dental crowns are a popular, long-term solution for restoring damaged teeth. They are durable and natural-looking. We can fabricate crowns from various materials, including ceramics and metals, or a combination of both.
When Is a Dental Crown Necessary?
We recommend dental crowns in various situations, including the following.
- Protecting a cracked or weak tooth.
- After placing a large filling.
- As the final stage of root canal therapy.
- Restoring a tooth that has suffered severe decay or trauma.
- Covering a dental implant.
Sometimes, dental crowns are used purely for aesthetic purposes. For example, we may recommend a crown to cover a tooth that is significantly misshapen or discolored.
Types of Dental Crowns
Several types of dental crowns are available, including:
- Porcelain crowns.
- Zirconia crowns.
- Porcelain fused to metal crowns.
- Metal alloy crowns.
- Temporary crowns.
- Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns are made from a material called lithium disilicate, which is highly translucent and aesthetically beautiful. These crowns are ideal for front tooth restorations, particularly where aesthetics are important, as they possess a liveliness in appearance that is similar to real teeth.
They are formed from a pure block of porcelain, heated to a high temperature, and then pressed under vacuum. The crowns are then hand-finished and characterized so they look and feel natural.
- Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia crowns are made from a very strong ceramic material. They are precision-made and milled from a solid block of zirconium oxide, also known as zirconia. The milled restorations are then heated to a high temperature, or sintered, to become extremely strong.
These crowns are ideal for use anywhere in the mouth, but are particularly well-suited for restoring back teeth. They can even be used for people with bruxism, who clench and grind during sleep. Usually, bruxism can damage or crack other porcelain restorations.
- Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (PFMs) are a more traditional type of porcelain restoration. They have a thin metal substructure covered with porcelain to create a lifelike appearance.
These restorations are durable and reasonably strong, but they can be less aesthetically pleasing when used to restore front teeth. This is because the metal must be covered with opaque porcelain, so light cannot pass through the crown in the same way it does with natural teeth or other restorations, such as lithium disilicate crowns.
- Metal Alloy Crowns
A metal alloy crown is made from a gold alloy, a combination of several different metals, which is polished to a high sheen. These crowns are strong and long-lasting, and can be good when restoring back teeth where space is tight. They are less widely used when restoring front teeth because they are so visible in the mouth.
- Temporary Crowns
Temporary crowns tend to be made from tooth coloured composite resin. We may fit a temporary crown after preparing your tooth and taking a digital dental impression so your more permanent crown can be made. A temporary crown is not designed to last and must be replaced with a more permanent restoration within 4 to 8 weeks at most.
The temporary crown will remain in place, protecting your tooth until the dental lab returns the permanent crown for fitting. These crowns are not designed to last long and are only fitted onto the tooth with temporary cement.
While you have a temporary crown, you will need to take care when eating, avoiding chewing anything very hard or sticky that could crack or damage it. If it becomes damaged, please get in touch with us so we can arrange for it to be replaced.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
There are several ways that a dental crown can benefit patients, including:
- Restoring strength and structure to a tooth.
- Restoring functionality.
- Protecting a tooth prevents further infection and decay.
- Restoring biting and chewing ability.
- Restoring appearance.
Additionally, dental crowns are long-lasting and durable. With the right care, they can last for many years.
The Dental Crown Procedure Step-By-Step
Typically, two or more visits are needed for a dental crown.
Step One: Dental Exam and Consultation
An initial dental examination will determine if a tooth will benefit from a dental crown. At this point, we can discuss which type of crown might suit your needs. Your choice depends on personal preference, budget, and the location of the tooth.
We can provide a custom treatment plan detailing all available options and the potential cost of each choice.
Step Two: Tooth Preparation & Digital Dental Impression
Before tooth preparation begins, we numb the tooth using a local anesthetic. Our dentist will carefully reshape the tooth, removing all damaged, decayed, and infected portions of it. We must remove enough tooth structure to create sufficient room for the new crown to fit well and to ensure it looks natural and isn’t too big.
Once the tooth is prepared, we take a detailed digital dental impression. Your tooth is scanned with a small handheld scanner, creating a precise digital 3-D image that can be viewed immediately by our dentist to ensure it is perfect.
The digital scan is sent to our dental lab, along with your prescription, so your new crown can be custom-made.
The nice thing about a digital dental impression is that it is far more comfortable for our patients, especially for anyone with a strong gag reflex.
Step Three: Temporary Crown Placement
A temporary crown is fitted over the tooth using temporary cement. It will remain in place until your permanent crown is ready.
Step Four: Fitting Your Permanent Crown & Final Adjustments
It generally takes two weeks for a new crown to be fabricated. Once ready, you return to our dental office so we can remove the temporary crown and try in your new, permanent crown.
Our dentist will check the crown fit precisely and comfortably. The final step is to check your bite and make any necessary adjustments before permanently cementing it in place.
Caring for Your Dental Crown
Caring for your new crown is simple, following the tips below. We will also provide you with personalized advice before you leave our dental office.
- Ensure you brush your crown at least twice daily and floss around it every day, just like a natural tooth.
- Avoid biting or chewing on anything hard, like ice cubes or pens and pencils, as these could crack or chip your crown.
- Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings so we can check the condition of your crown and clean it professionally.
Following these simple tips will help prolong the life of your crown.
FAQs
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How Long Will a Dental Crown Last?
With the right aftercare, it could last 10 or 15 years, or even longer, before we need to consider replacing it. Avoiding habits that could damage it and practising good oral care will maximize its lifespan.
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Is Getting a Dental Crown Painful?
Having a dental crown should not feel painful, as we numb your tooth during preparation. However, immediately after your crown is fitted, you may experience temporary sensitivity. This should disappear as the tooth settles down. If the issue persists, please get in touch with us so we can provide expert assistance and guidance.
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How Much Will a Dental Crown Cost?
The price depends on your choice of dental crown. The most expensive are porcelain or zirconia crowns. A PFM crown is more cost-effective. We can provide quotations for various types of crowns, allowing you to make an informed choice.
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Will Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of My Crown?
Dental insurance will likely cover the cost of dental crowns, as this is usually an essential restorative treatment. However, you may be liable for a percentage of the cost depending on your insurance policy and the type of crown. If the crown is purely for cosmetic purposes, your insurance might not cover the costs.
NYC Dentistry Center6 E 45th Street, 8th Floor, Suite 2
New York, NY 10017
(212) 810-9264