Crowns

What are dental crowns?

Dental crowns are a cap that goes on top of the tooth. It is a 360-degree coverage that gets put on the tooth to prevent breakage or any other issues that may arise.

What are the alternatives to dental crowns?

Alternatives to dental crowns depend on what the crown is being done for. Sometimes a filling can work, sometimes an extraction is necessary, sometimes there's really not many other options and the crown is the way to go. It really depends on the situation in the mouth.

What types of dental crowns are there?

There are different types of dental crowns depending on the material that the crown is being made out of. They can range from all metal, very attractive black crowns, all the way up through beautiful aesthetic all porcelain crowns. There's mixtures of the two. There's new materials that come out on the market every day.

What different materials are used in dental crowns and what are the advantages and disadvantages?

For example, we have very basic all metal crowns which are relatively inexpensive but highly un-aesthetic. There are all porcelain crowns which are more aesthetic and very strong, but they come with a higher cost. There's also zirconia, which is very strong but not as aesthetic, so I don't always recommend it for the front teeth.

Is a dental crown necessary after a root canal treatment?

Absolutely yes. After a root canal, teeth get much more brittle and are much more likely to break. To minimize the chance of the tooth breaking in half and having to get it extracted, we always recommend putting a crown on top of the tooth.

Can you explain the dental crown procedure?

In the past, the typical procedure was to prepare the tooth, take an impression, and send it to a laboratory. It would take about two weeks to get made. Meanwhile, we would make a temporary crown. Today, thanks to modern technology, we can do all this in the same day. You can leave with a permanent crown that same day.

Does the dental crown placement hurt?

It typically doesn't hurt. If the tooth is root canal treated, there's nothing to hurt. It's super easy. However, if the tooth never had a root canal done, it's vital and it may be sensitive for the crown insertion process. In such cases, we recommend numbing.

Are there consequences for getting a tooth crowned?

Yes, there are. We have to do a 360-degree shave of the tooth in order to put a crown on. I've also had instances where patients have allergies to the materials. In very rare cases, the crown breaks or pops off.

Is it worth putting children's teeth in crowns?

Sometimes it is necessary to put crowns on baby teeth, especially when there's a big cavity in a baby tooth that requires a root canal. The purpose of the crown on a baby tooth is to prevent it from breaking.

Do crowns look like normal teeth?

The crowns we do in our office always look like normal teeth. The whole point is for the crown to blend and look natural.

Can you get cavities on crown teeth?

You can absolutely get cavities on crown teeth. There is a border between where the crown meets and the tooth begins, and along this edge, you can get decay. That is why it is so important to take good care of your teeth with brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups.

How long can you expect a dental crown to last?

I expect dental crowns to last a minimum of 5 years, usually at least 10. I've seen crowns last for 20, 30 years. It all depends on how well you take care of them.

Does insurance cover dental crowns?

Insurance typically pays for crowns. They never pay for everything, but they will usually pay for something.

How can I schedule an appointment for a dental crown?

In order to schedule an appointment for a crown, all you have to do is give our office a phone call at (201) 845-5533.

Dental crowns are caps that restore the shape and size of teeth after they have been damaged, and offer protection from further damage. Dental crowns are a great option for restoring damaged teeth and are a standard procedure offered at Paramus Dental Arts.

When a tooth is damaged, there is always hope that it can heal on its own. Unfortunately, teeth do not heal or restore damaged enamel on their surface. However, we can help to protect and restore a tooth with a dental crown.

Dental crowns are a versatile treatment which can protect a weak tooth from infection, restore a damaged tooth, cover a dental implant, hold a dental bridge in place and provide a great, natural appearance.

If you have a damaged or weak tooth, then strengthen and enhance that tooth by scheduling an appointment with us for a dental crown.

What are dental crowns?

A dental crown is a cap that surrounds the tooth. We typically use a crown to restore a damaged tooth, but they can also use it to improve the appearance of a smile. A crown can consist of three different materials, all-metal, ceramic-on-metal and all-ceramic. The location of the crown in the teeth will determine the best material to use. For example, front teeth need to have an all-ceramic crown, if possible, since it looks the most natural. Patients may often use ceramic-on-metal crowns since they look natural but have the durability that only metal can provide.

What are dental bridges?

A dental bridge is a way to replace a missing tooth. At Paramus Dental Arts, we provide clients with dental bridges if they want to replace a tooth without wearing dentures or undergoing surgery. The new tooth is held in place by two crowns. It looks natural and consists of a ceramic or porcelain material to match the surrounding teeth. As a cosmetic dentist, Dr. Olga Degtyareva will make sure that the new tooth looks and feels amazing.

Before the Procedure

If you are getting dental crowns or a dental bridge for cosmetic reasons, we recommend that you whiten your teeth first. At Paramus Dental Arts, we offer teeth whitening procedures that can improve the appearance of your smile quickly and easily. It is important to have this procedure done first because the material that crowns and bridges are made out of are both stain and bleach resistant. That means that if it is created to match yellow teeth, it will remain yellow even if you have your teeth whitened at a later date. When you have the procedure done first, your new crown or bridge will be made to match your new brilliantly white teeth.

When preparing for the procedure, we recommend that patients take a day off of work. If possible, you may want to take a couple of days off. It is normal for teeth to be somewhat sensitive, and it is easier if you don't have to worry about meeting clients and keeping up with your busy schedule.

Paramus, New Jersey Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges

The Process

When getting dental crowns and dental bridges installed, it is advisable that you work with a cosmetic dentist that knows how to complete the procedure in a way that looks natural. At Paramus Dental Arts, we can do so while also working to keep our patients as comfortable as possible by using sedation dentistry. The process for both procedures is fairly similar. Before getting started, an impression is taken of the teeth so that the new crown or bridge can be created in a dental lab.

When placing a dental crown around a tooth, Paramus Dental Arts starts by preparing the tooth. We will need to remove a portion of the enamel so that there is room for the new crown to surround the tooth without pushing other teeth out of place. Once complete, we will clean the tooth and secure a temporary crown to it using removable glue. Patients typically wear a temporary crown for around two weeks while waiting for a permanent one to be created in the lab. During this time, it is important to be careful with what you eat and how you brush your teeth since the temporary is designed to come off.

When the dental restoratives are complete, patients return to our Paramus dentist office, so that we can remove the temporaries and bond the permanent ones to the tooth. For a dental crown, we will secure the cap around the tooth and complete it through dental bonding. With a bridge, a crown is placed on the two teeth that are surrounding the missing one. On top of the crown is a piece that looks like natural gums that will hold the new tooth in place. These two crowns serve as anchors for this synthetic "bridge" and makes a new tooth as durable as it can be. Patients depend on this procedure as a way to replace missing teeth in a way that looks natural and restores the functionality of the missing tooth.

After the Procedure

When getting dental Restoratives, your teeth will be somewhat sensitive after they have been prepared. This is why you need to wear a temporary crown while waiting for a permanent one to be created. We use sedation dentistry to ensure that you will not experience any discomfort during the procedure and after the fact you simply need to take some oral pain medication for a couple of days until you feel better.

The benefit of wearing a crown is that it surrounds and protects the tooth. This means that regardless of how damaged the tooth was, you can eat your favorite foods without fear of discomfort. A crown can restore the functionality of your mouth by making it easy to eat, drink and speak like normal. This is ideal for people that are suffering from severely sensitive teeth, have a cracked or chipped tooth or have undergone a root canal. Similarly, a bridge makes it possible to eat and speak like normal without worrying about your new tooth becoming loose or falling out. They are both ideal for people that have active lifestyles and don't want to be constrained by their teeth. To find out if the procedure is right for you, call (201) 845-5533 to schedule an appointment with us and discuss your options. At Paramus Dental Arts, we make it easier for patients throughout Paramus to have a beautiful and functional smile.

Questions Answered on This Page

Q. What are dental crowns?

Q. What are dental bridges?

Q. What will the process for dental bridges be like?

People Also Ask

Q. How long will a dental bridge last?

Q. How do I know if I need a root canal?

Q. What is the most durable tooth replacement?

Definition of Cosmetic Dentistry Terminology

Helpful Related Links

• American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Terms. 2015
• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2015
• WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2015