Crown Specialist

What is a crown?

A crown is a tooth-like cap attached to the tooth to restore its shape and structure. The crown fully encases the tooth to improve its appearance. A crown is meant to fix a broken or decayed tooth or encase a tooth with a large filling. A dental crown may also be used to hold a bridge in place or cover a dental implant.

What are the various types of crowns?

Porcelain or ceramic
These crowns provide the same natural color and appearance as teeth, so they have great aesthetic value.

Stainless steel
Stainless steel crowns are typically used as a temporary fix while a permanent crown is being prepared. Stainless steel crowns are also commonly used for children’s baby teeth.

Full metal
Gold and platinum crowns are occasionally used for out-of-sight teeth. They’re very durable for biting, but they’re noticeable.

What does the process of getting a crown involve?

On your first visit, your dentist prepares your tooth for the crown. They take an X-ray to get a better picture of your tooth’s structure, then they file your tooth down and take impressions. The dentist sends the impressions to a lab for crown creation. Meanwhile, he affixes a temporary crown until the permanent one is ready.

In 2-3 weeks, you’ll have another appointment to get the permanent crown. Your dentist removes the temporary crown and uses local anesthetic to numb your mouth. Then, he carefully places the permanent crown on your tooth and cements it in place.

How long do crowns last?

Crowns typically last 5-15 years. To extend the life of your crown, it’s important to practice adequate dental hygiene and minimize wear and tear. You should avoid grinding, chewing hard substances, and biting your nails to prolong the life of your crowns.

Because placing crowns is one of their most commonly requested services, Dr. Kim has become well-practiced in the process. If you need a crown for one or more of your teeth, call the experts at Downey Smile Center.