Custom Dental Crowns in Morristown, NJ
A dental crown covers the entire surface of the tooth, and restores it to its natural shape and size. Crowns cover the entire tooth surface and act as an extra layer of support for a damaged or broken tooth. Dentists can make them from different materials, such as porcelain, zirconia, metal, or a combination. With proper care, a porcelain dental crown can last many years.
Morristown dentist Dr. Victor Gittleman offers a complete range of cosmetic and restorative treatments for patients with damaged teeth, such as dental crowns. As a skilled dentist, Dr. Gittleman can shape, size, and color match your dental crown to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
Who Should Consider A Dental Crown?
The primary reason for a crown is to restore a broken-down tooth. Sometimes a filling just won’t complete the job correctly. When more than 50% to 75% of the tooth has damage, your dentist will recommend a dental crown rather than a filling. Patients may require a dental crown for one or more of the following reasons:
- To correct a misshapen tooth
- Address cracked, weakened, or damaged tooth
- To stabilize a tooth after a root canal procedure
- To support a dental bridge
- Cover a stained tooth
- To restore a dental implant
- Fill a cavity that is too large for a traditional dental filling
Inlays And Onlays
When damage to the tooth is not large enough for a dental crown or minimal enough for a dental filling, your dentist may recommend an onlay or inlay to restore a damaged tooth.
Inlays: Inlays are an ideal alternative to dental fillings. We consider them a more conservative fix than dental crowns because they require less removal of the tooth structure.
Onlays: Onlays are sometimes referred to as a partial crown. Your dentist will typically use onlays to repair teeth that are in need of a large dental filling or have extensive damage. They require less removal of the natural tooth structure than dental crowns. Dr. Gittleman may use onlays when two or more of the chewing cusps need repair.
What is the difference between a dental veneer and a crown?
A dental veneer is a very thin shell of porcelain or zirconia that fits over your tooth to improve the color and shape of teeth. Instead of covering the entire tooth like a dental crown, it covers only the front and the biting edge. They are also much thinner than crowns, so they are more conservative. If you are considering a cosmetic makeover, don’t worry about whether you need a crown or veneer: let your dentist decide. The fee for either one is usually the same.
What Does Getting A Dental Crown Involve?
A crown procedure usually requires one or two appointments. Your first appointment will include the shaping of the tooth, an impression (mold), and a temporary crown. First, we will take dental impressions and send them to a laboratory for fabrication. Then, we will place a temporary crown to protect your tooth while we wait for the final restoration.
When we receive the new crown, we will call you back to the office. It usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks for the dental lab to make the restoration. At your second appointment, we will remove the temporary crown, professionally clean your teeth, and carefully place your new crown. Dr. Gittleman will make sure the spacing and bite are accurate, and you leave with a comfortable bite.
Dental Crowns FAQs
Q: How long will my dental crown last?
A: On average, crowns will last 7 to 10 years. There are many variables, such as (but not limited to):
- Strength of a person’s bite
- Susceptibility to decay
- Condition of the tooth
- Presence of gum disease
- Amount of clenching & grinding, as well as usage of a night guard
- How many other teeth are present, as well as the condition of those teeth, to distribute biting forces
- Chewing habits (hard vs soft foods, chewing of non-food items such as pencils and tearing bags)
Q: Are crowns permanent? Do they require maintenance? Can they go bad?
A: Crowns are permanent in the sense that they attach to teeth with dental cement, and not removed on a regular basis. However, problems can develop. A common problem is a formation of a cavity (decay) underneath the crown. This is typically from not brushing and flossing, and not visiting your dentist for regular dental checkups. If the cavity becomes too severe, the dentist may have to remove the crown and remake it.
Another situation that can develop is the need for a root canal. If the nerve of a tooth dies, an infection may develop that requires the need for the root canal. Most times, a root canal happens before getting a crown. However, if you still have the root in tact, your dentist can preform a root canal without removing the crown.
Q: What are implant crowns?
A: Dentists do not always place crowns directly on teeth. Sometimes they place them on dental implants. Implant crowns are restorations for implant-supported bridges or single dental implants. The process is very similar. First, we completely remove the damaged tooth. Then, our dentist will surgically place a dental implant into the empty space. After a healing period of a couple of months, Dr. Gittleman will call you back in to place the implant crown. He will either cement it or screw it onto the implant.
Unlike real teeth, you do not have to worry about decay around dental implants. However, without proper hygiene and follow-up care, you can develop a situation called “peri-implantitis” which can cause loss of the implant.
Q: I want a cosmetic makeover. Are the crowns different in this case? Are the fees different?
A: Yes. When a person undergoes extensive cosmetic treatment, there is a lot of preparation work that is unnecessary for just one or two crowns. Also, certain laboratories must be utilized to get the job done correctly. For both of these reasons, you should expect the cost per tooth will be higher than that of a single crown.
You may also require a set of temporary crowns before your dentist places the final crowns. We will make sure they fit snugly and look real, so that you can use your mouth before the dentist can place the final crowns.
Q: Are there any dietary restrictions with a permanent crown?
A: Not really. You can pretty much eat any food with a permanent dental crown. You should treat it as if it was a real tooth, and avoid chewing ice with it or using your teeth to open things. Unlike dental bridges, you don’t have to avoid eating very sticky foods.
Q: How can you tell if you have a cracked tooth or cavity under a crown?
A: Dental crowns do a great job in protecting your restored tooth, but they are not perfect. Cracks can happen under a crown if your tooth gets damaged from a hit to the mouth. Still, dental cavities under crowns are rare. They can form if the dentist did not properly fill a previous cavity. Bad oral hygiene can also exacerbate cavity formation.
Q: Does a dental crown feel any different from a normal tooth?
A: No. Once placed and permanently secured, you will not be able to tell that you have a dental crown. Most patients forget they have a tooth restored with a crown after a period of time. If you feel discomfort or something off. It’s best to contact your dentist for an evaluation in case something is not right.
Schedule a Dental Exam with our Dentist in Morristown, NJ
Morristown Cosmetic Dentistry welcomes patients of all ages to receive the dental care they need. Dr. Gittleman is a trusted and respected dentist near you with over three decades of experience crafting a beautiful smile.
If you would like to explore your treatment options or determine if a dental crown is right for you, visit our Morristown dental office. To schedule an appointment, call (973) 287-3337 or request an appointment online.