Our practice offers a number of restoration options to improve the health, function, and even the appearance of the teeth. A strong and resilient restoration is a dental crown. If you have an aching or damaged tooth, you may wonder, “Do I need a dental crown?” We can discuss the situations where a restoration can be most beneficial to your smile.
How Does a Restoration Work?
A dental crown, also referred to as a cap, fits over the tooth, completely covering the visible portion. First, we need to prepare the tooth by removing a small amount of structure. This makes room for the restoration. We will then need to take impressions of the tooth. Once the restoration is complete we place it onto the tooth, using a bonding agent to hold it in place. We use a variety of materials, including:
- Metal
- Porcelain
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal
- Zirconia
The materials we use will depend on the placement of the crown. Teeth near the back of the mouth must endure more powerful bite forces, so metal, porcelain-fused-metal, and zirconia make excellent choices. For the front teeth we may recommend porcelain, which looks natural.
Do I Need One?
We may recommend one for a variety of reasons, including:
- Restoring dental implants
- Repairing cracked or chipped teeth
- Completing a root canal
- Correcting cosmetic issues
- Repairing teeth with cavities
Is Placing One Time Consuming?
The placement process isn’t time consuming at all. The entire process takes as little as two visits. The first visit involves preparing the tooth and taking impressions. During the two-week interim period an expert ceramist at a dental lab will create the crown. You will return for the follow up visit so we can place the crown and make any adjustments. If you have any questions about the process or if you think you may benefit from a dental restoration, then contact our office today.
ABOUT YOUR ASTORIA RESTORATIVE DENTIST
Our Astoria, NY dentist office accepts most major insurance plans. To find out if we accept yours, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, contact us at (718) 728-8320. We welcome patients living in and around Queens, Astoria, NYC, upstate New York, and New Jersey.
