In the past, gold was used for creating effective and long lasting dental crowns. More recently, people have turned to dental porcelain, wanting to keep their teeth looking attractive, instead of accumulating a mouthful of metal.
Porcelain is a bright, white, ceramic material that comes in a wide variety of shades. The best quality porcelain has subtle changes of color, making it match tooth enamel even more closely. Porcelain wears well and is gentle on opposing teeth while chewing.
Crowns are used to cap a tooth which is too damaged or decayed to survive with just a filling. The crown protects what remains of healthy tooth tissue, giving it new surfaces on all sides. If endodontic therapy is required (a “root canal”), a crown will also be required, although crowns are often done without any endodontic work, as the tooth’s root is still intact.
The Crown Procedure With CEREC
Most dentists do it in two visits because they use a dental laboratory to make the crown. Some cosmetic dentists have invested in CEREC technology , and can therefore complete your crown more quickly. A CEREC chairside system can image, plan, and create your crown in one visit.
· After your dentist removes any infected or decayed material, the tooth is shaped and prepared to receive the crown.
· The dentist will use a digital camera to obtain detailed images of the tooth and area around it, which are input to the CEREC system.
· Using the CEREC software, your dentist analyzes the information and plans your crown so that it will fit precisely over your tooth and keep your bite smooth and comfortable.
· In about 15 minutes, our CEREC mill creates the crown.
· Your dentist will fit it temporarily to check the fit and comfort, then bond it permanently to the tooth.
Daily Care for a Crown
Good dental hygiene is essential for maintaining your crown. Although the porcelain will keep its original color and not stain in response to pigmented foods and drinks (as tooth enamel does), it is crucial to prevent bacterial build-up. Daily brushing and flossing will keep bacteria from spreading underneath the crown and causing decay down into the tooth and its root.
Annual or twice-annual visits for professional dental cleaning is also very important. This is how tartar is removed – the hard film on teeth which causes gums to bleed during the first stage of gum disease. When plaque is not removed by your daily hygiene, it turns into tartar. It must then be removed professionally. In those visits you can also get checked for oral cancer, gum recession, and any other potential problems.
