Dentistry is an art as well as a science, and dental crowns are a perfect example. A crown, or “cap,” is a covering that fits over a damaged, decayed, or unattractive tooth, and can even replace a tooth entirely as part of dental bridgework. Damore Dentistry offers custom crowns and bridges in Turnersville, NJ.
A crown completely covers a tooth above the gum line, unlike a veneer, which covers only the front surface and needs natural tooth structure to support it. If a tooth is missing a significant amount of structure above the gum line, a crown is the restoration of choice.
Crowns strengthen damaged teeth so they can function normally again. Crafted from today's high-tech dental ceramics, they're virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth — and can even improve on a tooth's original appearance. We offer several materials depending on your priorities, from durable cast gold to natural-looking porcelain-fused-to-metal and all-porcelain zirconia crowns, and we're happy to walk you through the pros and cons of each.
Getting a crown typically takes two to three visits. At the first visit, we prepare the tooth to receive its new crown — shaping it (with the area numbed beforehand) or, if little structure remains, building it up with filling material to support the crown. We then take impressions and send them to our dental lab, where technicians craft a crown designed to enhance your smile and fit your bite. A temporary crown protects your tooth until your permanent one is ready, which is then attached at your second visit.
Crowns can also create a lifelike replacement for a missing tooth through bridgework, which requires at least three crowns — two placed over the healthy teeth on either side of the gap (abutment teeth), supporting a third crown (a pontic) in between. More missing teeth require more crowns to bridge the gap.
The number of abutment teeth needed depends on how many teeth are missing, the size and length of the abutment roots, how much bone supports each one, and where in the mouth the gap is. For example, three missing teeth may need four abutment teeth, creating a seven-tooth bridge. Designing a bridge requires an understanding of both tooth replacement and the biology of the supporting gum and bone.
Crowns and bridgework need the same conscientious care as your natural teeth — brush and floss daily, keep up with regular cleanings, avoid using your teeth as tools, and consider a nightguard if you grind your teeth to protect your investment.