Crowns in Lehi, UT

A dental crown is a restoration that is placed over a tooth that has been damaged. This restoration is used to return the tooth to its original shape and function. Dental crowns are fabricated from porcelain, metal, or a combination of both materials.

The crown fits over the remaining portion of the natural tooth and is cemented into place. A dental crown is a permanent restoration, but in some cases, a crown can be placed over an existing crown.

How Are Dental Crowns Made?

Dental crowns are made in a dental lab. The process typically takes about two weeks from start to finish.

First, we prepare the tooth that needs to be crowned. This involves removing the entire outer surface of the tooth. Next, we take impressions of the patient’s prepared tooth using dental putty. These impressions are sent to a dental lab, where technicians create your crown. In the meantime, we will place a temporary crown on the patient’s tooth to protect it from damage. Once the crown is ready, the patient will return to our office to have their crowns permanently cemented in place. 

Types of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are one of the most common types of dental restorations. They cover teeth that have been damaged, as well as change the size and shape of a tooth. The different types of dental crowns include the following:

• Metal crowns are one of the most common types of dental crowns. They offer durability, and they are often used on back teeth that are damaged.
• Porcelain crowns have a natural, tooth-like appearance.
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns have a metal base with a porcelain overlay.

Advantages of Dental Crowns

One of the top advantages of dental crowns is that they can protect a tooth from further damage. That’s important because once a tooth is compromised by decay or trauma, it is more likely to become further compromised. It also protects a tooth from further damage from things like a grinding habit.

A crown can also act as a preventive measure for a tooth. For example, if a tooth is structurally compromised, a crown may be placed to eliminate the risk of tooth breaking. A crown can also be placed to protect a tooth from decay or an infection and to preserve the tooth’s natural appearance.

Specifically, a dental crown can be used for the following purposes:

• To protect a fragile, damaged, or weak tooth
• To prevent a compromised tooth from breaking apart
• To hold a broken tooth together
• To strengthen and restore a tooth after a root canal
• To act as tooth replacement as the top of a dental implant
• To help anchor removable dental appliances, such as dentures or bridges.

At Floss Family Dentistry, we offer high-quality dental services using advanced technology. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with us, call dentist in Lehi UT at (801) 610-7200 or visit our dental office at 2183 West Main Street, Suite 301A, Lehi, UT 84043.