Crowns, Caps and Veneers

As far as a dental restoration goes, crowns and caps are used synonymously.

Crowns are synthetic caps, usually made of a material like porcelain, placed on the top of a tooth.

Crowns are typically used to restore a tooth's function and appearance following a restorative procedure such as a root canal. When decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed, crowns are often used to restore the tooth.

Crowns are also used to attach bridges, cover implants, prevent a cracked tooth from becoming worse, or an existing filling is in jeopardy of becoming loose or dislocated. Crowns also serve an aesthetic use, and are applied when a discolored or stained tooth needs to be restored to its natural appearance.

Procedures

A tooth is usually reduced in size to accommodate a crown. An impression is taken and a cast is made of the existing teeth. The impression is sent to a special lab, which manufactures a custom-designed crown. A temporary crown is placed until the permanent crown is ready. Permanent crowns are fitted and cemented at the subsequent visit.

Caring For Your Crowns

With proper care, a good quality crown could last many years. It is very important to floss in the area of the crown to avoid excess plaque or collection of debris around the restoration.

Porcelain Laminates Expert

Overview of Tooth Veneers

Often an alternative to crowns, veneers are very thin pieces of specially-shaped porcelain or other ceramic material that are bonded to the front surface of a teeth. They are often a solution for teeth that are severely discolored, chipped, misshapen or crooked, or for the correction of unwanted or uneven spaces. Veneers require much less tooth reduction than does a crown. Veneers are created from an impression taken in the dentist's office. The custom veneer is then bonded directly onto your tooth. Veneers don't stain and maintain their appearance, making them a very popular solution for many people seeking improvement in the aesthetic apperance of their teeth.