Isaac Lin DDS Santana Park Dental Care
Dental Crowns
A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain (tooth-colored crown) is the most popular. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced.
A crown procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate molds (or impressions) that will be used to create your custom crown.
A mold will also be used to create a temporary crown, which will stay on your tooth for approximately two weeks until your new crown is fabricated by a dental laboratory. To place a dental crown, the tooth must first be prepared by removing any existing decay, old fillings, and a small amount of enamel.
Using 3-D imaging, we will create a digital representation of the tooth to help prepare the crown. In the first appointment, our patient will leave with a temporary crown and generally returns within 10 – 14 days to receive their permanent crown.