Dental Crowns

Dentists put crowns on teeth that are badly broken, have fractures, or when the shape and color of the tooth aren't favorable. Crowns are used to restore and protect teeth in such cases.

The best type of crown for a molar depends on various factors. Different materials can be used, including zirconia crowns and all-ceramic crowns, which offer strength and aesthetics. The choice of crown material depends on the specific requirements of the patient. In the past, dentists used to do full gold or full metal crowns, and they still have some applications. In our practice, we use all ceramic crowns (Emax), which is highly aesthetic. We also use zirconia crowns, which are very strong.

There are different dental procedures; there are crowns and there are bridges. Crowns and bridges accomplish different goals in the patient's mouth. A crown is used when you still have an intact tooth in your mouth but it has some broken edges or maybe you've had a root canal on that tooth. We need to protect the tooth and build it up to its previous form and shape. That's why we make the crown. A bridge is very similar to a crown. We use bridges in situations where there is a tooth on one side and there's a tooth on the other side with a missing space in between. We fabricate crowns for the teeth on both sides with another fake tooth that is fused to these crowns. This way, you're covering two teeth with what we call pontics, which replace the missing tooth.

The best crown for front teeth would be the type that matches the rest of your teeth most closely and improves your smile. There are various materials for different dental applications. For aesthetic purposes, we typically use full ceramic crowns with porcelain for front teeth.

If it’s a molar or posterior tooth, it’s a standard of care to get the tooth crowned because a lot of force is generated in the back of your jaw when you are biting and chewing. This can cause the already brittle tooth to crack. A crown would protect the tooth from fracture. If you had a root canal in a front tooth because of a form of trauma causing the nerve to die, the structure of the tooth maintains structural integrity. In such instances, it's not necessary to get a crown on the front tooth.

We can use old metal crowns, which are not very aesthetic. A material that has been used for decades involves a crown with metal coping and a porcelain layer on top, making it look like a natural tooth. Some patients might not want any metal in their mouth. In such cases, we provide all ceramic crowns.

Yes, a well-made crown is as strong as your natural teeth. It can withstand the forces generated during biting and chewing.

The dental crown procedure involves several steps. First, the tooth is prepared by reducing its circumference. An impression or scan is taken, and a temporary crown is placed. When the final crown comes back from the lab, you will come in for a final cementation appointment, where the doctor will remove the temporary crown and permanently cement the final crown.

For a dental crown procedure, local anesthesia is typically used, often in the form of lidocaine.

After getting a dental crown, you should continue brushing and flossing your teeth normally, just as you would with your natural teeth. Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential.

The average life expectancy of a dental crown can be several decades. However, it's important to maintain good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups to ensure the longevity of both the crown and the underlying tooth.

To detect tooth decay under a crown, regular dental checkups and X-rays are essential. Dentists can often identify any issues starting to develop under the crown during these examinations.

The typical cost of a dental crown in the New York area usually ranges from $1500 to $3000.