What is a Dental Crown?

Often referred to as a “cap,” a dental crown is a type of restoration that repairs a damaged tooth. One of the most common uses of a dental crown is to restore a tooth that is significantly decayed or otherwise damaged, as in a break or fracture. Dr. Hilary Prill of Signature Smile Family Dentistry in Rockledge has been placing dental crowns to restore teeth to their original shape and size for many years now, and she can help you, too. Our dental crowns are custom-made to fit over the entire tooth, starting at the gum line, and they are an excellent way to restore teeth to their original look, feel, and function.

Dental crowns can be made of gold, porcelain, or porcelain fused to metal; porcelain crowns are popular because they match the natural color and appearance of your teeth. Dr. Prill will determine which type of dental crown is best for you and your desired smile goals.

Crowns serve many purposes including:

  • Protect a tooth after a root canal (endodontic surgery)
  • Anchor and attach a dental bridge
  • Cover a dental implant
  • Enhance your smile’s beauty
  • Strengthen a weak tooth
  • Support a large filling when there is insufficient natural tooth structure
  • Protect a tooth after a root canal (endodontic surgery)
  • Anchor and attach a dental bridge
  • Cover a dental implant
  • Enhance your smile’s beauty
  • Strengthen a weak tooth
  • Support a large filling when there is insufficient natural tooth structure

When teeth are cracked and damaged beyond the point that a porcelain veneer can fix, a dental crown is typically the best option. Natural-looking dental crowns repair broken teeth by covering and protecting the remaining tooth structure from further tooth decay. Dental crowns are also used in conjunction with dental implants; the crown sits on top of the implanted tooth. The final product is a beautiful tooth that looks, feels, and functions just like a natural tooth. No one would ever know you have an implant and crown unless you tell them. If your fillings are old and damaged, a dental crown may be the best way to repair and save your teeth.

Dental Crown Process

We will place your dental crown in just two visits, with the second visit taking almost no time at all. Here is what you can expect if you need a dental crown:

Step One: To prepare your tooth for a crown, Dr. Prill will remove some of your enamel, which is absolutely painless. Removing enamel from your tooth allows space for your new crown and ensures that it will stay in place once it’s bonded to the tooth. Your dentist may also use filling material to build up certain parts of your tooth, the main purpose being to create a solid foundation for your dental crown.

Step Two: Next, Dr. Prill will take impressions of your teeth using digital scanning technology; impressions are then sent to the lab where the crown will be fabricated.

Step Three: Since traditional crowns take two to three weeks to make, we’ll place a temporary crown on your tooth during the first visit. These temporary crowns are usually made of resin or acrylic.

Step Four: When the lab finishes your dental crown, they’ll send it back to us. We’ll then remove the temporary crown, check the shape, fit, and color of your new crown, and bond it to your tooth using special dental cement. Dr. Prill will provide after-care instructions, and you will brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. Crowns, once stable, require no special maintenance.

Benefits of Dental Crowns

There are many benefits to this type of tooth restoration including:

  • Crowns are ideal for repairing worn, broken, or decayed teeth.
  • Crowns protect teeth from wear and tear.
  • Crowns provide better chewing ability.
  • Crowns can last 10-15 years.

Dental Crowns in Rockledge, Florida

If you live in or around the Rockledge area of Central Florida, please contact Dr. Hilary Prill’s family dental office by calling (321) 633-4020. We welcome patients of all ages and look forward to meeting you and your family.