What are Crowns?

A crown is a restoration that covers, or "caps," a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size, strengthening and improving the appearance of a tooth. Crowns are necessary when a tooth is generally broken down and fillings won't solve the problem. If a tooth is cracked, a crown holds the tooth together to seal the cracks so the damage doesn't get worse. Crowns are also used to restore a tooth when there isn't enough of the tooth remaining to provide support for a large filling, attach a bridge, protect weak teeth from fracturing, restore fractured teeth or cover badly shaped or discolored teeth.

To prepare the tooth for a crown, it is reduced so the crown can fit over it. An impression of the teeth and gums is made and sent to the lab for the crown fabrication. A temporary crown is fitted over the tooth until the permanent crown is made. On the next visit, the dentist removes the temporary crown and cements the permanent crown onto the tooth.

Why crowns and not veneers?
Crowns require more tooth structure removal, hence they cover more of the tooth than veneers. Crowns are customarily indicated for teeth that have sustained significant loss of structure or to replace missing teeth. Crowns may be placed on natural teeth or dental implants.

What is the difference between a cap and a crown?
There is no difference between a cap and a crown.

How long do crowns last?
Crowns should last approximately five to eight years. However, with good oral hygiene and supervision, most crowns will last for a much longer period of time. Some damaging habits like grinding your teeth, chewing ice or fingernail biting may cause this period of time to decrease significantly.

How should I take care of my crown?
To prevent damaging or fracturing the crown, avoid chewing hard foods, ice or other hard objects. You also want to avoid teeth grinding. Besides visiting your dentist and brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth is vital with crowns. Floss or interdental cleaners (specially shaped brushes and sticks) are important tools to remove plaque from the crown area where the gum meets the tooth. Plaque in that area can cause dental decay and gum disease.

 

Crown Crazes: Are You a Candidate?

Yellow teeth, gum disease and tooth loss may conjure up images of aging, yet many people are unaware that as they age, they are more likely to develop crown crazes – unsightly hairline cracks in tooth enamel.

"Crown craze candidates are usually in their mid-thirties," says Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson Barbara A. Rich, DDS, FAGD. "Years of wear and tear and bad chewing habits create extra pressure and cause crazes to form, especially in teeth with older, large fillings."

This condition develops over time to all teeth, but crazes are more apparent on the front upper teeth, where staining is more likely, and shows up as a thin brown line.

"It's not just a cosmetic problem," warns Dr. Rich. If the craze is deep enough in the enamel, the tooth may develop some sensitivity.

To avoid developing crazes that may instigate dental accidents, Dr. Rich advises her patients to stop chewing on popcorn kernels, hard candy or ice cubes. "It's quite common to develop a craze when repeatedly chewing hard objects."

Many patients are not aware of this problem until their dentist points it out with a mirror or intraoral camera, says Dr. Rich.

If a craze does not cause discomfort or pain, your dentist will monitor the tooth at each dental visit and have you keep a watchful eye on the tooth and report changes. If the crack goes to the inner surface of the tooth, you may want to consider a crown in order to restore tooth strength.