Using the hand piece, we remove any decay and shape the tooth, so it will securely hold the crown. Next we take an impression of your teeth. The dental lab uses this impression to make an accurate model of your mouth, and then they use the model to create a crown that precisely fits your tooth and bite. In the meantime, we often place a temporary crown to protect your tooth.

On your next visit, we remove the temporary crown and try in your new porcelain crown. We check the fit, and when everything is right, we bond or cement the crown in place.
The benefits of porcelain crowns

A porcelain crown has several benefits. Like all crowns, it covers and protects your tooth. But in addition, a porcelain crown is:

- Strong and durable
- Beautiful, with the life-like translucency of natural teeth
- Healthier for your teeth and gums because the edge of the natural-looking porcelain doesn't need to be hidden under the gumline.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns

When a tooth needs a restoration, sometimes the best choice is a porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown. A PFM crown consists of a tooth-colored porcelain layer baked onto a metal core.

We might choose a PFM crown to restore a tooth when a large filling has failed, or when the tooth is cracked, broken, or subject to grinding and clenching.

A PFM crown is precision-crafted in a dental laboratory, so it may take two or more appointments to restore your tooth with a PFM crown.

Placing a PFM crown

On your first visit, we numb the area to make you comfortable. We may also use a rubber dam to protect your mouth and the back of your throat while we work.

Using the hand piece, we remove any decay and shape the tooth, so it will securely hold the crown. Next we take an impression of your teeth. The dental lab uses this impression to make an accurate model of your mouth, and then they use the model to create a crown that precisely fits your tooth and bite. In the meantime, we often place a temporary crown to protect your tooth.

On your next visit, we remove the temporary crown and try in your new PFM crown.  We check the fit and your bite, and when everything is right, we cement the crown in place.

Alternatives to Crowns

After a lot of tooth structure has been lost, your choices are limited,

You could choose to:
• Try a filling
• Have the tooth extracted
• Delay treatment
• Restore the tooth with a crown

A filling may be an alternative, but only when enough tooth structure is available to hold the filling in place. If not, biting forces can cause the tooth to break when you chew. After a tooth breaks, it often requires much more extensive treatment, sometimes even extraction.

Having the tooth extracted

Extracting a tooth instead of restoring it is only a short-term solution. Teeth need each other for support. A missing tooth sets off a chain reaction of shifting teeth and receding jawbone. Changes in your bite can also increase your risk for tooth decay, gingivitis, periodontal disease, and maybe even more tooth loss.

Restoring your tooth with a crown

A crown is an excellent way to restore a damaged tooth. It seals out plaque and bacteria, covers and protects the tooth, and restores its strength and shape. That's why we recommend a crown to help keep your tooth and smile healthy.