Crowns

What are dental crowns?

A dental crown is an oral prosthetic used to cover a tooth and restore its size, strength, shape, and appearance. Once cemented in place, a dental crown covers all of your enamel that sits above the gumline. 

In addition to improving the appearance of your tooth, a dental crown helps prevent further damage and decay. This allows you to preserve your natural tooth without the need for an extraction. 

What types of issues can dental crowns correct?

The team at Union Square Dental uses crowns for several applications. They might recommend a crown to:

• Protect a weak tooth
• Restore a broken tooth
• Restore a worn-down tooth
• Cover a large filling
• Hold a dental bridge in place
• Make a cosmetic modification

The team might also recommend a dental crown to cover a misshapen or severely discolored tooth.  

How many appointments does receiving a dental crown take?

Receiving a dental crown usually requires two separate appointments. At your first appointment, your Union Square Dental provider performs an oral exam and takes a series of digital X-rays to view your tooth roots and jawbone. If everything looks healthy and there’s no infection present, your dentist anesthetizes your tooth and gums and carefully reshapes your tooth. Reshaping your tooth involves your dentist removing a thin layer of enamel from its chewing surface and sides.

After preparing your tooth, your dentist uses a special putty to take impressions. Your dentist sends your impressions to a laboratory that makes your permanent crown. Before you leave the office, your dentist applies a temporary crown to your tooth.

A week or two later, your return to Union Square Dental. At your second appointment, your dentist administers a local anesthetic, places your permanent crown over your tooth, and carefully bonds it in place using dental cement. 

How do I care for my dental crown?

You care for your crown just like you would your natural teeth. Brush twice each day, floss once a day, and visit Union Square Dental every six months for a professional cleaning and exam. You should also avoid bad habits like biting your fingernails and chewing on ice, as both can chip or crack your crown. 

If you have a chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged tooth, request your crown consultation at Union Square Dental today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.