Crowns

When your tooth is severely damaged, something small like a filling won’t protect it. Instead of removing your tooth, Dr. Danis can place a protective crown over the top of it. Crowns help prolong the life and function of teeth, allowing you to maintain your natural smile for several more years. 

Today’s dental crowns are crafted from durable, yet aesthetically attractive ceramic materials for optimal protection and cosmetics. In some case-by-case scenarios, precious metal crowns are still recommended.

What is a Dental Crown? 

Dental crowns — sometimes called “caps” — are full-coverage restorations that cover the entire tooth up to the gumlines. Their protective design safeguards weak or compromised enamel so that the tooth doesn’t break apart from daily use. Instead, the crown distributes biting pressure evenly across the restoration so that you can continue eating normally. 

Who Needs Dental Crowns

Crowns are recommended in situations where there is not enough intact tooth structure to support a dental filling, or in scenarios where the tooth is non-vital. Examples include:

• Large area of decay
• Severe fractures or enamel wear
• After a root canal
• Replacing a large, leaky dental filling

Dr. Danis will thoroughly evaluate your tooth to determine the best method of restoration. When possible, he will opt for more conservative treatment, such as a filling. But if your tooth is at risk for continued breakage, a crown will be the only option for long-term preservation. 

The Treatment Process

Getting a new dental crown is a two-step process. The first visit involves gently numbing and prepping your tooth so that a crown can fit over it. We’ll take an impression and fit you with a temporary crown while the permanent one is being handcrafted in the lab. About two weeks later, you’ll return to have the temporary crown removed and the permanent one bonded into place. 

Each of our porcelain dental crowns is crafted for durability and aesthetics. We want your final restoration to blend in well enough that it’s not distinguishable from your adjacent, natural teeth. Dr. Danis will use a special shade guide to measure the color of your enamel so that the permanent restoration matches as closely as possible. 

How to Care for Your New Crown

To protect the integrity of your new dental crown, we recommend daily flossing and brushing to keep the margins clean. Although crowns do not develop tooth decay, cavities can form around the edges if home care isn’t kept up to par. We also suggest wearing a nightguard while you sleep if you’re prone to clenching and grinding your teeth. 

Get a Professional Opinion

Oshawa Dental House offers comprehensive dentistry solutions to keep your smile healthier, longer. When you have a cavity or fractured tooth, Dr. Danis will work with you to find the best restorative option to preserve the structure that’s left. Sometimes that’s a dental crown. 

Learn more about our Oshawa dental crowns or find out if they’re right for you. Contact our dentist in Oshawa today to reserve an exam.