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Moreno Dental
3115 Howe Place
Suite 101
Bellingham, WA
98226
360.676.0642
Moreno Dental is a proud member of:
All Major Credit Cards Accepted
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A crown ("cap") is a tooth-like covering placed over
a carefully prepared preexisting tooth. Crowns serve many functions,
such as to strengthen, restore or improve the appearance of your
natural tooth.
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Why a crown?
A crown can be done for any number of reasons:
- Broken tooth
- Root canal treated tooth (to protect it from breaking)
- Large old filling (that can no longer support the tooth)
- Reshape tooth (for appearance and/or improved bite)
A filling really only repairs a small hole. To rebuild, reshape,
or protect a substantial part of your tooth, a filling just
won’t do the job, and a crown is preferred. A crown
is also called a cap.
Sometimes, a filling is not sufficient for long-term strength,
yet there is quite a bit of healthy tooth. In this instance
a partial crown or inlay is appropriate.
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| A crown can be done for any number of reasons
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The tooth is reshaped or "prepared"
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The crown is bonded on your tooth
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The shade(s) of your adjacent teeth for
the new crown are matched, so that it is indistinguishable. |
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Making a Crown
The tooth is reshaped or "prepared", often including
rebuilding part of the tooth with a crown buildup. The amount
of enamel removed is exactly the thickness of the crown (about
0.5-2 mm, depending on materials used: less with all metal,
more with porcelain). A mold is made of this tooth (the mold
usually includes adjacent teeth and the teeth that this one
bites against). From this mold the laboratory constructs your
crown (the porcelain color is matched to your tooth). While
the crown is being constructed you have a temporary crown
on your tooth. It takes about 10 working days before your
crown is back from the laboratory. At the second appointment,
the crown is bonded on your tooth (you may need to have anesthesia
and/or nitrous oxide if your tooth is sensitive).
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What
is a crown made of?
A crown can be made from different materials: all porcelain,
gold alloy (white or yellow), porcelain and gold alloy, other
metal combinations (I only use noble or high noble metals).
Different situations often suggest different materials to
be used depending on durability, esthetics, and physical limitations
- this is determined in concert with your wishes. When a porcelain
crown is made, I match the shade(s) of your adjacent teeth
for the new crown, so that it is indistinguishable. |
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Care of your temporary crown
The temporary crown is usually made of plastic (it can also
be metal), and is not intended for long-term wear - usually
for 2-6 weeks (longer in certain situations). It is to protect
the tooth from sensitivity (temperature, touch), protect
the gums, and to hold the bite (keep the adjacent and opposing
tooth from shifting). A temporary crown is like a temporary
tire, it is sufficient for short-term, careful use.
Brush, floss, Waterpik, clean, etc. as usual, except, when
you floss pull the floss through instead of up/down, so
as not to dislodge the temporary crown. Avoid sticky things
that could pull off your temporary crown.
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Care
of your tooth and gum
The gum is often a little irritated next to the crown. A salt
water rinse is very helpful - a teaspoon of salt in a warm
glass of water, rinsed gently a couple times a day, until
your gum feels better. Advil, aspirin, or Tylenol before the
anesthesia wears off is always helpful. |
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What if the temporary
crown comes off?
If it is only a day or two before your visit to try in your
new crown, and the tooth is not sensitive, you can leave it
out - BUT save it! If the time is greater before your appointment,
you can put it back in temporarily with Vaseline, but call to
have it recemented. Without the temporary crown on, adjacent
and opposing teeth can shift, sometimes so much that the permanent
crown won’t fit. |
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What’s next
At your next appointment, the temporary crown is gently removed.
If your tooth is sensitive, you may require some anesthesia
(or laughing gas). Your new crown is tried in to check it for:
fit, color, shape and appearance, bite, fit between teeth, seal
against your tooth. If everything is correct and it meets your
approval, it is cemented with a long-term cement. Treat the
crown as if it is your own tooth, especially for cleaning. It
is not uncommon to experience a little sensitivity to cold after
getting a new crown, but this should diminish quickly (over
a couple weeks). |
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Disclaimer:
The materials on this web site are informational only and not intended
as a substitute for professional dental and/or medical advice. Accordingly
you should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health
problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare
provider. |
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