Crowns

Crowns allow us to restore a tooth that is badly damaged from decay, cracks, or fracture. Every crown is custom fabricated by a skilled technician to fit over your tooth.

Most crowns that we make are porcelain due to the material’s life-like appearance. Many of our patients cannot tell the difference between a porcelain crown and their natural tooth.

The vast majority of our crowns can be made in one visit. Learn about CEREC one visit crowns here.

We make gold and porcelain fused to gold crowns using the traditional method. The traditional way to make a crown takes two visits.

• First Visit

1. 1. Numb the tooth to remove decay and repair lost structure
   2. Re-sculpt the tooth to provide room for a naturally-shaped crown
   3. Make an impression of the prepared teeth/tooth to send to our lab technician.
   4. Make a temporary crown to hold everything in place and keep you comfortable until the permanent crown is ready.

• Second Visit

1. 1. Remove the temporary crown. If the tooth is sensitive we get numb it; otherwise no anesthetic is required.
   2. Dr. Murphy will ensure that the crown fits well, looks naturals, and functions like a normal tooth
   3. The crown is cemented in place.

It is important to maintain regular follow-up visits and brush and floss regularly to maintain the appearance and health of a crown. Properly cared for, crowns can last a lifetime.

 

Our Warranty for Crowns and Bridges

Dental Insurance will pay to replace a crown after five to seven years, so they expect a crown to break down before then. We expect the overwhelming majority of crowns that we create to last and function for at least 20 years for our loyal patients who see us regularly for ongoing preventive checkups. But, we still feel that providing a limited warranty makes sense—especially for our patients without dental insurance.

Our warranty on our fixed dental crowns and bridges is for as long as we are in business, and is subject to the following conditions and exclusions:
You must remain a patient of our practice and maintain a schedule of regular (every 6 months) cleanings and bitewings so we can ensure that your entire mouth remains healthy.

• For the first 5 years, we will repair or replace a crown or bridge at no additional cost for either material or labor if there is a failure of the restoration.
• Failure due to abuse or neglect is excluded. Abuse or neglect can include, but is not limited to: chewing ice, removing bottle caps with your teeth, opening packages with your teeth, sports injuries, falls, and vehicle accidents.
• If a restoration must be removed or damaged to repair a dental problem related to the tooth on which it is placed, the warranty does not apply. (e.g. when the tooth later needs a root canal beneath a crown or if you develop decay on the teeth that support a fixed dental bridge, not related to a defect in the bridge material or structure)

Cleaning and Care
Be especially care while you a wearing a temporary dental crown. We will go over a list of instructions before you leave with a temporary crown, but some tips include: Avoid sticky or very hard foods; try to chew on the side of your mouth that doesn’t have a temporary crown. While you are wearing a temporary crown, pull floss out of the side of the crown instead of lifting up and out.

Permanent crowns can be treated like a normal tooth. Brush and floss these like a normal tooth and maintain regular dental check ups.

Can crowns get cavities underneath them?” Yes. The edge of the crown (where the crown means the natural tooth) if not kept clean can develop decay. This won’t happen if you keep that crown margin clean, see your hygienist for regular cleanings, and maintain a healthy diet.

I heard that some crowns can be done the same day

You heard right. Cerec crowns can be completed in one visit. We do those too!

 

I lost my temporary crown, but it doesn’t hurt. What should I do?

Call us and come in to the office so we can put the temporary crown back on. In addition to keeping you comfortable, the temporary crown helps keep your teeth from making slight movements. If they move too much, it’s difficult to get the permanent crown to fit.