Well, we do think you are special and your teeth are too!
Dr. Robyn Moreau or Dr. Tom Martin probably recommended a crown to protect one of your teeth from breaking. Or, if you already broke a tooth, to restore it to its proper shape and function. Crowns are used to protect your root canal treated teeth from breaking and from getting reinfected. If a tooth is weak from a large filling or has crack lines running through it, a crown can help protect your tooth from breaking. Crowns are also a great option to change the shape or colour of a tooth that you are not happy with. Small, misshapen or discoloured teeth can be improved with a porcelain crown in the colour of your choosing.
A crown or “cap” covers over the top and sides of your tooth to protect it. On your first appointment, we will shape your tooth to get it ready for the crown. Then we take some impressions of your teeth and make you a temporary plastic crown to cover over your tooth until we see you again. We send your impressions to a dental lab here in Kelowna to make your crown. Each crown is custom made by the talented dental technicians for each tooth, taking into consideration form, function, and esthetics.
Model of prepared tooth
When you come back about 2 weeks later for your second appointment, we will remove your temporary crown. We try your new crown in to make sure it both fits well and looks nice and then permanently cement the crown in place. Your tooth will now be restored and protected.
Porcelain Crown
Crowns can be made from porcelain or gold. Some crowns even have porcelain and metal fused together into a Porcelain Fused to Metal crown. All three types of crowns are good materials, some are just better for some situations then others. Talk to one of our dentists to find out which option would be best for your situation.
Gold Crown
Putting a crown on your tooth helps to protect it from damage, but is not a forever fix. On average, crowns last about 10 years with proper care. You will need to brush and floss your new crown just as you would your natural teeth. As your crown is cemented onto the natural tooth, you can still get decay forming around the edges of the crown if not properly cared for. Regular x-rays will help us monitor the health of your crown so we can help you maintain healthy teeth.