When a crown is the right choice
- A tooth with a large old filling that is cracking or breaking
- A tooth that has had a root canal
- A tooth that is badly worn, chipped or misshapen
- To restore a dental implant
- To anchor a bridge
A filling repairs part of a tooth; a crown protects all of it. If more than about half the tooth is filling, or there is a visible crack, a crown prevents the fracture that would otherwise end in an extraction.
Materials we use
Most of our crowns are zirconia or lithium-disilicate ceramic. Both are metal-free, highly durable and can be shaded to match your natural teeth so the crown is invisible in your smile. For back teeth under heavy bite forces, monolithic zirconia is the strongest option available. Dr. Anagnostakos will recommend the material based on where the tooth is and how you bite.
What to expect
A crown normally takes two visits. At the first, the tooth is numbed and shaped, a precise impression is taken and a temporary crown is placed. The permanent crown is made in a dental laboratory to our specifications and fitted at a second visit about two weeks later, when Dr. Anagnostakos checks the fit, bite and color before cementing it.
Caring for your crown
Brush and floss a crown exactly as you would a natural tooth; the tooth underneath can still decay at the gumline if plaque is left there. Avoid chewing ice or hard candy, and if you grind your teeth at night a nightguard will protect your crowns and your natural teeth alike. With normal care a crown should last 10 to 15 years and often much longer.