A dental crown is used often by Drs. Wooddell and Passaro at their Annapolis, MD area dentist office. This common dental restoration, often referred to as a tooth cap, can improve the appearance of and protect a tooth. No one will be able to notice you are wearing a crown because, with modern technology, they are made to blend seamlessly with your smile. A strong, customized designed crown that will surround the entire tooth is key to protecting the tooth and avoiding an extraction.
What are Dental Crowns used for?
A dental crown is used to protect, strengthen and improve the appearance of a tooth. Also, called a tooth cap, they can be used as a restorative dental treatment to protect a damaged or decayed tooth. They can also often be used in cosmetic dentistry to change the color, shape or length of a tooth. Wooddell & Passaro Dental Group near Annapolis, MD often uses a tooth crown to:
- Cover stained or discolored tooth
- Protect a tooth after root canal treatment
- Strengthen anchor teeth for dental bridge
- Restore a missing tooth with the use of a dental implant
- Strengthen and repair a damaged, chipped or cracked tooth
- Support a large filling when there is little tooth structure left
- Correct misshapen or crooked teeth
- Close the gaps between teeth
Types of Dental Crowns
Gold: A gold dental crown is the most mouth friendly restoration. It requires the least amount of tooth structure to be removed. It is most suitable for the back teeth because they do not wear down easily. The major disadvantage of a gold crown is that it will stand out from a natural tooth which is another reason why most people prefer them on their back teeth, out of sight.
Porcelain: Porcelain crowns are very durable and stain resistant. They are will blend-in with the rest of your smile as they are hard to distinguish from a natural tooth. This material is very versatile and can be used on any tooth however it does require more tooth structure to be removed to accommodate it.
Zirconia: This is a fairly new material used in dental restorations that offers metal-like strength and match the look of natural teeth. It is the most durable material used for a dental crown but it is also the most expensive.
Dental Crown Procedure
The process of getting a dental crown will require several trips to our Annapolis, MD area dentist office. Drs. Wooddell and Passaro will perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine if a tooth crown is right for you. After that, they will prepare a customized treatment plan that addresses the health concerns as well as the cosmetic goals.
Your tooth will be prepared by removing old crowns or fillings then removing decay, damage or enough tooth structure to securely place the crown. We will take dental impressions and use them to fabricate a custom dental crown. A temporary crown will be placed until your permanent one is ready.
Your new, custom tooth cap will be fabricated in a dental lab. When the crown is ready, we will try it on to ensure a proper fit. Once you are satisfied with the look and fit, the dental crown will be permanently bonded to the tooth and gently polished.