Dr. Dassenko – January 2010

When are Crowns Needed and How is a Crown Put on a Tooth?

Crowning a tooth is one of the most common modern procedures performed by dentists on their patients. That’s because crowns can now be done rather quickly and easily and they solve many kinds of dental problems – from major loss or breakage to simple cosmetic issues. The way a crown works is that it is fitted on top of the tooth after removing the damaged or unhealthy tooth structure. The crown works to enclose and protect the tooth beneath it. It is sort of like a covering sleeve that encloses the tooth with a strong and realistic looking tooth exterior or dental façade. Best of all, good modern dental crowns that are expertly created and skillfully installed are virtually indistinguishable from real natural teeth.

Ordinarily a natural tooth has its own crown, of course, and those who are lucky to keep their original teeth enjoy healthy crowns that contribute to their overall well-being and dental health. When we talk about the crown we refer to the portion of the tooth that extends above the gum – the part that is white, made of bone-like hard material, and is easily visible when you look into your mouth or smile at someone. This crown is coated in hard enamel to make it tough, strong, and durable, and the crown is used to bite, cut, or grind our food.

But if something happens to that original natural crown – such as chipping, decay, or breakage – the dentist will often replace it with one made from a synthetic polymer, real gold, or porcelain. Dental crowns also work well when other parts of the tooth are damaged – for instance when there is a deep cavity or crack in the body of the tooth. Once the unhealthy portion of the tooth is properly repaired, the artificial crown is fastened to it or mounted over it. That provides a healthy sheath or covering for the tooth, so that bacteria and infection cannot get in and the tender nerves of the inner tooth cannot be exposed, causing pain and discomfort.

Crowns are carved and sculpted to match your original tooth or teeth, and then they are placed over the repaired, chipped, or broken tooth. Dentists use special dental adhesives to secure them in place and prevent them from coming loose or falling out. With an excellent crown it is hard to tell the difference between it and the original healthy tooth.

If you need a new crown the doctor will usually spend one visit preparing the tooth and fixing or filling the unhealthy portion. Then he or she will take exact measurements of your teeth, along with photos or X-rays. Using those as references a specialized dental laboratory technician will carve and create a new crown. The crown may also be carved and sculpted by a high-tech computer machine. Once the crown is ready – which can take from a few hours to a couple of weeks, depending upon the methods used to make the crown – the dentist will fit it in your mouth, polish and finesse it, attach it to the tooth with the special adhesive and you’ll be good to go.