Crowns Specialist

What are crowns?

Dental crowns are artificial caps created to restore and protect teeth. Crowns adhere to the teeth with a durable bonding agent and can be used top dental implants when replacing a lost tooth. Crowns are meant to be permanent, but if a repair or replacement is needed, patients can visit Dr. Lai at his practice. A crown goes over the top of a tooth which has been damaged by trauma, accident, or decay. Crowns protect these teeth from additional damage and decay. They can also improve the look of the teeth which have been cracked, discolored, broken, or chipped. Crowns can also be tinted to match the shade of the teeth neighboring it. This helps to blend in with the rest of the teeth. Crowns are typically made from porcelain or ceramic.

Why are crowns used?

Crowns are used by Dr. Lai to:

• Top a dental implant
• Hold a bridge in place
• Protect a weakened tooth
• Substitute a large filling
• Correct a discolored or misshaped tooth
• Cap a tooth which has undergone root canal treatment

Crowns are designed to last quite a while and are made of durable materials. If one does become loose or falls off, Dr. Lai can repair or replace the affected crown at his practice easily.

What types of porcelain crowns are there?

Porcelain crowns are a very popular choice among patients. Typically, two types of porcelain crowns are available— porcelain-fused-to-metal and all-porcelain crowns.

• Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are made to look similar to a person’s natural tooth. They can be tinted to match the neighboring teeth. This type of crown can wear on the chewing surfaces of the opposite tooth, however. In some cases, patients can see a gray line encircling the bottom of the tooth at the gum’s edge. This is where the metal in the crown is showing through.
• All-porcelain crowns offer the most natural looking effects. However, those fused to metal can be more durable. All-porcelain crowns will also still wear on the chewing surfaces of the opposite tooth but not nearly as much. These crowns are customarily best when chosen for the front teeth and they will also not leave a gray line around the tooth.