People of Indianapolis, IN ask, “What is a crown for a tooth?”

A dental crown is a cap fabricated from a strong restorative material and shaped like a tooth. It is cemented in place, fully enclosing the part of the tooth visible above the gum line.

When a crown is needed

The primary purpose of a crown as a stand-alone restoration is to reinstate the appearance and strength of a tooth that has a large area of decay (and thus a big filling), that has cracked or broken, or that has become worn down.

Crowns are also an essential part of a dental bridge. To replace a missing tooth, the teeth on either side of the space are reduced. They are fitted with crowns that hold an artificial tooth to fill the gap.

You may opt for a dental implant as an alternative to a bridge. In that case, a crown tops the implant to look and function as a natural tooth.

Dental crowns are used cosmetically to improve the appearance of severely discolored teeth that do not respond to whitening and are not well-suited to veneers (such as back teeth). The appearance of any poorly shaped tooth may be enhanced with a crown.

The procedure

At Washington Street Dentistry, you can rely on a painless dental crown procedure with a beautiful outcome. At the first visit, you relax in the chair and receive numbing medication. Areas of damaged tooth structure are addressed. If decay has been removed, the tooth is filled. Then the tooth is shaped to hold the crown. Dr. Church or Dr. Hampton take impressions of your mouth, and protect the tooth with a temporary acrylic crown.

The impressions, precise measurements, and color specifications go to a professional dental laboratory. Your crown is fabricated, usually of natural looking porcelain or porcelain over a strong metal core.

You return to Washington Street Dentistry in about two weeks. The interim crown is easily removed. The doctor checks the fit of the permanent restoration, making adjustments if needed and bonds it securely into place. It is polished to a lovely luster, and you walk out the door with a restored smile.

Care for your new crown by brushing after meals (with a bit of extra attention at the gum line), flossing before bedtime, and maintaining regular check-ups at Washington Street Dentistry.

If you are one of the Indianapolis, IN residents wondering, “What is a crown for a tooth?” pick up the phone and call (317) 333-6788. We’ll be happy to answer your questions.

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