Crowns
Crowns are a cosmetic restoration used to strengthen a tooth or improve its shape. Crowns are most often used for teeth that are broken, worn, or partially destroyed by tooth decay.
Crowns are "cemented" onto an existing tooth and fully cover the portion of your tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth's new outer surface. Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or both. In esthetically demanding situations porcelain crowns are most often preferred because they mimic the translucency and color of natural teeth and are very strong.
Crowns or onlays (partial crowns) are needed when there is insufficient tooth strength remaining to hold a filling. Unlike fillings, which apply the restorative material directly into your mouth, a crown is fabricated away from your mouth. We will create a unique tooth impression or capture a 3D digital image of of your mouth, which allows our team, or a dental laboratory technician to examine all aspects of your bite and jaw movements. Your crown is then sculpted just for you so your bite and jaw movements function normally once the crown is placed. Depending on the material best suited for your needs, your crown will be created here in our office or a trusted dental lab.
In many cases, we can send you home with a custom made crown with a perfect fit in one visit. Perhaps you have been through the traditional procedure to have a permanent crown placed in your mouth.
Dr. Wappett is proud to offer a CEREC™ computerized design and milling process where you can have a perfectly fitting crown in just one visit. No kidding! We create a durable, natural-looking crown in our own lab while you wait – with no return trips to the dentist.
The procedure begins with a digital scan using a specialized camera. Once we capture an accurate picture of the damaged tooth, it is displayed on a screen. Dr. Wappett will design the restoration from the digital image and our team utilizes CEREC to fabricate your permanent crown during your visit. This restoration is bonded to the remaining structure of the tooth and you are good to go!
