Crowns are dental restorations used to repair broken teeth or teeth that have been treated with a root canal procedure. A crown is custom-made to match your natural tooth color and the shape of your original tooth. The crown is placed in a two-stage process, with a temporary crown placed first.

Having a Crown Placed

A dental crown is placed in a two-part process. First, your dentist takes a mold of your teeth. Then the tooth is restructured to make room for the crown, and another mold is made. These two molds will be used to make your final, permanent crown. Making the molds ensures that the crown fits perfectly and aligns properly with your other teeth.

After the molds are taken, you’ll receive a temporary crown. This crown protects your tooth while you are waiting for your permanent restoration. It usually takes a few days for the permanent crown to be made at a dental laboratory. When it is finished, you will return to the dentist to have the temporary crown removed. The permanent crown is cemented in place and adjusted if necessary to ensure proper alignment.

What are Crowns Made of?

Crowns can be made out of different materials. Most of them are:

  • Metal—usually gold. Metal crowns are used primarily for molars.
  • Porcelain—tooth-colored porcelain can be used for both front and back teeth.
  • Metal bonded with porcelain—combines the strength of metal with the natural look of porcelain.

The type of crown you receive will depend upon the location of the tooth you are having treated. Front teeth are almost always crowned with porcelain, since this provides a natural look. Back teeth might be treated with some kind of metal crown so that the crown will withstand the wear and tear and strong pressure exerted when you chew. Consult with our office to be sure you receive the most appropriate type of crown.

Once used commonly for cosmetic purposes, crowns are more often used for restorations now. Many cosmetic issues once treated with a crown are now treated with veneers. If you feel you need to have a tooth treated with a crown, please contact the office of Dr. Nicholas Kemp at 416-922-1012 to schedule a consultation.