Over time, our teeth begin to weaken and are more susceptible to problems such as decay, cracking and discoloration. If your smile isn’t what it used to be, a crown can help you get it back. If your dentist appears to have decayed or loose/cracked teeth, you may need a crown to make sure there are no other problems with the tooth. In such cases, fillings or bonding will not suffice.
Crowns can be made of porcelain, porcelain alloyed with metal, or a full gold crown. For a natural look and feel, porcelain crowns are best, as they can match the shade of your other teeth. This will help you blend in and look like one of your natural teeth.
Crown placement requires 2-3 visits to the dentist. During the initial visit, the tooth will be reshaped and the enamel will be taken down so that a crown can be placed. Before this part of the surgery, you will be given general anesthesia to keep you safe. When the tooth is replaced, the molds are removed from around and on that tooth. This cast will be sent to the dental lab so that your new crown can be shaped to fit in the space created for it and be symmetrical compared to the surrounding teeth. Before you leave, your dentist will fit your temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready.
It takes about 2-3 weeks for the crown to be returned to your Toronto dentist. At this point, you will have extra time to get your permanent crown installed and installed. You will also receive a local anesthetic to numb the area and cement will be used to fix the tooth to ensure that the tooth is set in place. When you look in the mirror, you will see that your old smile is back. Crowns are durable, last about 10-15 years. Like any other tooth, it needs to be maintained by brushing and flossing regularly. To learn more about how crowns can help you get your smile back, call us today.