Watch Dental Crowns
How dental crowns protect a damaged tooth at Modern Essence Dentistry
Shaped like a natural tooth, a dental crown is a cap that fits over a weakened or damaged tooth to restore its strength, shape, and appearance. A tooth that's cracked, carries a large old filling, or has just come through a root canal can split in two under the ordinary chewing forces of daily life. A crown is what keeps that from happening.
This video shows the whole crown process. Numbing comes first, so you stay comfortable. Next, the tooth is reshaped to make room for the crown, and an impression is taken. Your permanent crown is then custom-made, and during that wait a temporary crown guards the tooth. At a later visit, the final crown is cemented and precisely adjusted to your bite.
Today's crowns come in all-ceramic, all-metal, or a combination, and your dentist will suggest the right material based on where the tooth sits, how you bite, and how natural you want it to look. Because appearance matters most up front, crowns for front teeth are usually ceramic, while crowns for back teeth are often built for maximum strength.
A crown's lifespan depends on your upkeep. Brush and floss every day, eat a healthy diet, and keep your regular checkups. With that kind of care at home, a well-made crown can protect your tooth for a decade or more.
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