If a tooth is severely decayed, broken, or brittle, then your dentist may recommend a crown be placed on the tooth. This procedure should be painless and only require two or three office visits.
If the roots and base of the tooth are still strong, then your dentist will prepare them for the crown by removing the decayed enamel. Your dentist will then affix the crown to the healthy and decay-free base.
If the roots and base have been compromised, then your dentist may recommend a root canal. Once the pulp of the tooth has been removed by an endodontist, a post will be inserted into the now empty canal. Your prosthodontist will then attach a core to the post and together they will serve as a solid base to which a crown will be affixed.
Since we carefully construct the crown to match the opposing tooth, and to ensure a proper fit, we will take several impressions of the teeth. Once the impressions have been taken a temporary crown will be affixed to the post and core to protect the tooth until the following appointment.
During your second visit, the dentist will remove the temporary crown and fit the permanent one over the natural tooth (or post and crown. If the fit is good, the dentist will permanently affix the crown to the tooth using dental cement. We use the highest grade materials available in constructing the crown, which means it should last from at least 25 years to life.
We go to great lengths to ensure that the crown or bridge will look and feel as natural as possible. Our dentists are dedicated to crafting a replacement that will match the color and shape of the patient's real teeth.