Dental Crowns in Morgan Hill, CA
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that restores a decayed, broken, weak or worn-down tooth. Dentists also use crowns to cover dental implants and root canal-treated teeth. Made from a variety of materials, including metal, resin and porcelain, crowns last between five and 15 years with proper care.
A dental crown can be made of many different materials and placed on top of your damaged tooth.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap. Dentists use crowns to restore weak, broken or decayed teeth.
A crown fits over your entire tooth, like a snug hat. To ensure a proper fit, a dentist will need to remove a small amount of enamel before bonding your new crown in place.
Dental technicians craft crowns from a variety of materials, including resin, metal and porcelain.
When would you need a dental crown?
Crowns serve several purposes. You may need a dental crown to:
- Strengthen a weak tooth.
- Protect and support a cracked tooth.
- Restore a worn-down or broken tooth.
- Hold a dental bridge in place.
- Cover a severely stained or discolored tooth.
- Cover a root canal-treated tooth.
- Cover a dental implant.
Dental Crown Procedure
First visit
Steps for a dental crown procedure include:
- Preparing your tooth. To prepare your tooth for a crown, your dentist will need to remove some of your natural enamel. This makes space for your new crown and ensures that it will stay in place once bonded. Your dentist may also use a filling material to build up certain parts of your tooth. During this step, the main goal is to create a strong foundation for your new crown.
- Dental impressions. Next, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth. These may be physical impressions taken with a putty-like material or digital impressions taken with a handheld scanner. Your dentist will send these impressions to a dental lab. There, a technician will use them to create your custom dental crown.
- Temporary crown placement. It usually takes two to three weeks — sometimes longer — for a dental lab to make your new crown. While you wait on your final crown, your dentist will place a temporary one. Temporary crowns are usually made of resin or acrylic.
Second visit
When the lab finishes your new crown, they’ll send it back to your dentist’s office. During a second office visit, your dentist will:
- Remove your temporary crown.
- Check the shape, color and fit of your new crown.
- Bond the new crown to your tooth using a strong dental cement.
Risks / Benefits
What are the benefits of dental crowns?
The most notable advantage of a dental crown is that it can prolong the life of a natural tooth. Specifically, crowns can:
- Treat worn, broken or decayed teeth.
- Protect teeth from erosion (wear and tear).
- Improve chewing function.
- Enhance your appearance.
Recovery and Outlook
How long does it take to feel better after a dental crown procedure?
Most people can resume work, school and other routine activities immediately following crown placement. However, it’s normal to experience some degree of sensitivity for a couple of weeks — especially to heat and cold.
You may also have some soreness or tenderness in your gums around the treated tooth. These side effects are normal and should go away in a few days. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen) to ease any discomfort.
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Opening Hours
Monday: 9am to 6pm
Tuesday-Wednesday: 8am to 5pm
Thursday: by Appointment
Friday: 8am to 5pm
Saturday: 8am to 4pm
Sunday: by Appointment
Our Location
Your Dentistry
Dental Practice of Dr. H Gondara
795 Cochrane Road, Suite 120, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Phone: (408) 465-9016
Email: info@yourdentistrymh.com
Our Hours
Monday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday by Appointment
Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday – by Appointment