A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over an existing tooth to restore the tooth’s size, shape, appearance, and/or strength. It is cemented into place permanently and covers the existing visible portion of the tooth like a helmet. It spreads out the impact of grinding and chewing and makes the tooth strong. There are many reasons you might need a crown:
The process generally requires two visits. During the first visit, x-rays may be taken, the tooth will be prepared to receive the crown, and an impression of the tooth and adjacent teeth will be made. Once the custom-made crown has been created by the specialty lab and returned to our office, your second appointment will involve ensuring that it is a proper fit in your mouth and bite. It is then permanently cemented in place.
Dental inlays and onlays are restorative techniques similar to crowns, but they require less removal of the original natural tooth. An inlay fits within the cusps of the teeth and therefore covers less of the natural tooth. An onlay covers the cusps of and biting surface of the tooth — for this reason an onlay is also called a “half crown.”
The process generally requires two visits. During the first visit, x-rays may be taken, the tooth will be prepared to receive the inlay or onlay, and an impression of the tooth and adjacent teeth will be made. Once the custom inlay/onlay has been created by the lab and returned to our office, your second appointment will involve ensuring that it is a proper fit in your mouth and bite. It is then permanently cemented in place.