Porcelain Crowns

A dental crown, or "cap," is a protective casing that is bonded to a portion of remaining tooth or the pole of a dental implant to return functionality - it lets you get chewing again. There are a number of circumstances in which you and Dr. Clark may decide that a porcelain crown is the best option to restore your teeth.

A porcelain crown may be the best solution if:

• you have undergone root canal therapy;
• you have lost a considerable portion of your tooth to decay;
• you have cracked or broken off a large piece of your tooth;
• you have a large cavity that has threatened the integrity of your tooth;
• your implant has been damaged and requires a replacement; or, sometimes
• for cosmetic reasons you wish to improve the positioning, shading, or shape of your teeth and the other restorative methods such as Invisalign treatment, contouring, veneers, whitening, and bonding are insufficient.

Because porcelain crowns are very strong and are the most natural looking crowns available, they are perfect for cosmetic applications where you require a discreet fix.

The process varies depending on your specific situation, but generally proceeds as follows:

First impression

First, an impression or mould is taken of the tooth. This is done prior to shaping in order to aid in the creation of a temporary crown, and to guide the construction of your permanent porcelain crown. The temporary crown is used to cap and protect your tooth until the permanent crown has been constructed and is ready to be cemented in place.

Shaping

Next, the tooth is prepared to accept the porcelain crown. Dr. Clark will give you a local anaesthetic to "freeze" the area being worked on. He will then do a little shaping of the tooth to make sure your porcelain crown can be firmly cemented in place, while leaving enough of the original tooth to retain its strength.

Second Impression

Following shaping, an impression is taken of the site where the crown will be fitted. This mould is used to make sure the porcelain crown fits perfectly on the site that has been prepared for it, allowing for a very strong bond. At this point you are fitted with your temporary crown for comfort and function during the time it takes to construct your permanent crown.

Custom creation

Both the mould of the original tooth and of the prepared site are sent to a dental lab. From these impressions dental experts produce a custom-made porcelain crown that will fit into the prepared site as naturally as the tooth being replaced had. The colour is also matched to the rest of your teeth for aesthetic reasons.

Fitting and cementing

On your return to the dental office, Dr. Clark will remove the temporary crown and, in its place, position the permanent porcelain crown. The fit, the shape, and the shade are then checked to make sure the crown sits naturally with the other teeth. If everything lines up perfectly, the permanent crown is cemented into place. You can now chew and smile as freely as you had before the crown was necessary.

Call our office to find out the difference a porcelain crown can make in your mouth.