Modern Dental Care

Porcelain Crowns.

Porcelain Crowns-Is It Something You Should Consider?

Porcelain crowns are used in restorative dentistry to restore the appearance and function of teeth. Teeth may need crowns due to decay, chips, or breakage. Crowns may also be used to cover discolored teeth or to correct the shape of an irregular tooth. Crowns can also be used with dental implants to replace missing teeth. Porcelain crowns are preferable to metal or other materials, especially for front teeth, because they are hard, durable, and more closely resemble a natural tooth. If you need to repair or replace a tooth with a porcelain crown, we at Modern Dental in East Windsor, NJ can help you.

Examination and Preparation

Before having a crown made and placed on your tooth, the dentist will need to take x-rays and examine your tooth to see what might need to be done to prepare the tooth for the procedure. In the case of a severely decayed tooth or one that has had a large piece broken off, the dentist may need to add filler material to the tooth so that it will support the porcelain crown. If no filler is needed, the dentist will file some of the tooth enamel and dentin on the top and sides of the tooth to allow room for the crown. The crown is a cap, which is tooth-shaped, that will completely cover your existing tooth.

Next the dentist gets an impression of the prepared tooth, as well as the ones above or below it to make sure that the crown will fit your bite properly. The impression is sent to a laboratory for the porcelain crown to be made from, and the dentist will have noted the shade of porcelain needed to match your natural teeth. Then your dentist is going to attach a crown that is temporary and made of acrylic. Once the permanent crown is available it will be replaced. The porcelain crown will take several weeks to be made, and then it will be sent back to your dentist.

Attaching Your Permanent Porcelain Crown

When you return for your permanent crown, the dentist will remove the temporary one and check the porcelain crown for proper fit and color. Cement will be put on the crown, and then it will be attached to your tooth. Once the cement is fully hardened, the procedure is complete and your tooth will be restored. We may ask you to return in a couple of weeks to ensure that you are having no problems with your new crown. You will need to brush and floss your crowned tooth regularly, just as you do with your natural teeth.

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