Porcelain Crowns

Thirty-something hipster man with stylishly messy hair and small, round-frame glasses smiles big, proud of his smile.

Crowns are a full-coverage option designed to restore the shape, size and function of a tooth that is too damaged to be treated with a traditional filling.

What is a dental crown? When might I need one?

A dental crown is a permanent tooth-shaped prosthetic that sits on top of your natural tooth — they’re also known as “caps.” Because it looks and acts just like a natural tooth, the dental crown helps to restore your smile by correcting the appearance and strength of the damaged tooth.

Porcelain crowns are often recommended to cover or protect teeth that have had root canals, have fractured or worn down significantly due to grinding or injury, are severely misshapen or discolored, or have very large fillings with little of the original tooth remaining.

A traditional crown will cover your entire tooth above the gum line, but if there are healthy portions of the tooth that may be maintained, Dr. Johnston might recommend an onlay, inlay or porcelain veneers instead. Although dental crowns can be made of many different materials, all-porcelain crowns often provide the most natural look, even on highly visible front teeth.

What can I expect from a dental crown procedure?

Placing a porcelain crown is typically a two-visit process. During your first visit, Dr. Johnston will examine and prepare the tooth and will likely take some X-rays of the area to fully diagnose the issue.

How can porcelain crowns help my smile?

Crowns help to protect your teeth from further damage or decay, relieving persistent pain or preventing future pain and dental procedures. If the affected teeth are visible when you smile or talk, then porcelain crowns can also improve the appearance of your smile and restore your confidence!

Each porcelain crown is custom-designed by experts to match the shape and color of your natural teeth. Crowns are very durable and usually last between five and 10 years. They don’t require any special care — but do be sure to brush and floss regularly.

Next the affected tooth will be filed down on all sides and reshaped to fit the crown. If the tooth requires any further repairs, they are done at this step. Next your dental team will take a digital scan of the tooth as well as the other teeth around it. The scan will be sent to the laboratory where your porcelain crown will be custom-designed over the next two to three weeks. In the meantime, Dr. Johnston will fit you with a tooth-colored temporary crown to protect the tooth.

At your return visit, Dr. Johnston will remove the temporary crown, check to ensure the color and fit of the porcelain crown are correct and permanently cement the porcelain crown into place. Often a local anesthetic or numbing drug is used during this procedure, and patients may experience some soreness or sensitivity immediately after the visit. Of course, if you experience persistent or intense pain, you should contact your dentist right away.