Dental crowns can strengthen teeth, offer structural support, prevent further damage to teeth, and reduce your risk of needing a tooth extraction. Dr. Hadjian may recommend a dental crown to:

• Offer protection and support for a damaged or weakened tooth.
• Protect and support a tooth after a root canal procedure.
• Prevent further damage to a cracked, worn down, or broken tooth.
• Provide support for a dental bridge or dental implant.
• Cover up stains or discoloration on a tooth.

•  Protect your teeth from wear and tear or erosion.
• Improve your ability to chew and eat.
• Improve the appearance of your tooth.
• Alternative to a tooth extraction and dental prosthetic.
• Strengthen teeth that are decayed, broken, or damaged.

• Metal – Metal dental crowns can be made of silver, nickel, chromium, gold, or palladium. They are dense and strong and last the longest out of all the types of dental crowns. They can withstand heavy wear and tear and rarely break down or get damaged. However, because they
• Porcelain Fused to Metal – Porcelain fused to metal combines metal crowns and porcelaincrowns to create a strong, durable crown with a porcelain coating that matches the natural color and appearance of your surrounding teeth. However, the porcelain coating may chip off over time, and in some cases, the crown could cause damage to your opposing teeth when you bite or chew.
• Ceramic – Pressed ceramic crowns have a hard inner core made of ceramic. They are covered with layers of porcelain to mimic the color, appearance, and translucency of natural teeth. The layers of ceramic can chip away over time.
• Resin – Resin crowns are less expensive than other types of dental crowns. They are very fragile and much more likely to break, however. They are often used to make temporary tooth crowns while you wait for your permanent crown to be manufactured.
• Pure Ceramic or Porcelain Crowns – Tooth crowns that are all ceramic or all porcelain are the most natural-looking type of dental crown. They may be used if you have a metal allergy or need a crown on your front teeth. They are gentle on your surrounding teeth and cause less wear and tear, but they don’t last as long as metal or composite crowns.

Before a dental crown is placed, Dr. Hadjian will need to take dental x-rays and dental impressions. This will help the dental laboratory create a permanent crown that fits perfectly and matches the appearance of your surrounding teeth. Next, Dr. Hadjian will need to prepare your tooth for crown placement. Some of your tooth enamel will need to be removed to create space for the placement of the dental crown. She may also roughen up the surface of your tooth to create better adherence for the dental crown. Then, she will place a temporary crown to protect your tooth while we wait for the dental laboratory to create your permanent crown. When your permanent crown arrives, we will schedule another appointment for placement. During this visit, Dr. Hadjian will remove the temporary crown and bond the new crown to your tooth using dental cement.

With the right care and maintenance, a dental crown can last up to 15 years, depending on what material it uses. Dr. Hadjian will provide very specific instructions for maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine and caring for your dental crown and natural teeth. The best way to keep your dental crown in good condition and avoid damage or complications is to:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush.
• Floss at least once per day.
• Use an antiseptic mouthwash at least once per day.
• Do not eat hard, crunchy, or sticky foods.
• Wear a custom mouthguard if you clench or grind your teeth.
• Visit Dr. Hadjian at least once per year for dental check-ups and exams.

If you need a new dental crown or a replacement for a broken or missing one, call Fatemeh Hadjian, DDS, PA, today or contact us online. We will schedule an appointment for a dental exam and review your options for dental restorations and crown placement.