Dental Crowns San Francisco, CA
Crowns are used to help restore your teeth and mouth.
A crown is a dental restoration that covers, or “caps” a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size. A crown can strengthen a tooth that has had numerous fillings, is cracked or has broken. Sometime a crown is the best solution to improve the appearance of a tooth.
FAQs About Crowns
- How is a crown placed?
- Will the crown look natural?
- Why crowns and not porcelain veneers?
- How should I take care of my crowns?
How is a crown placed?
To prepare the tooth for a crown, it is prepared so the crown can fit over it. An impression of teeth and gums is made and sent off to the laboratory for the crown fabrication. A temporary crown is fitted over the tooth until the new replacement crown is made. At a second visit, the temporary crown is removed then the new crown is fitted onto the tooth and cemented.
Will the crown look natural?
Yes. A crown that look like a natural tooth is the goal. To achieve a natural look, a number of factors are considered: the color, bite, shape, and length of natural teeth. Any one of these factors alone can affect the appearance.
If you have a certain cosmetic look in mind for your crown, discuss it with us at your initial visit. When the procedure is complete, your teeth will not only be stronger, but they may be more attractive.
Why crowns and not porcelain veneers?
Crowns require more tooth structure removal as they cover more of the whole tooth than porcelain veneers. Crowns are customarily indicated for teeth that have sustained significant loss of structure. Crowns may be placed on natural teeth or on dental implants.
How should I take care of my crowns?
To prevent damaging or fracturing the crowns, avoid chewing hard foods, ice or on other hard objects. Tooth grinding can be a consideration as to what material the crown is made. Besides visiting your dentist and brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth is vital with crowns. Floss or other dental cleaners (specially shaped brushes or picks) are important tools to remove plaque from the crown area where the gum meets the tooth. Plaque in that area can cause dental decay and gum disease at the base of the crown.