How Do Crowns Work to Repair Damaged Teeth?

Crowns are used mostly to restore vulnerable teeth, although cosmetic crowns improve your smile’s esthetics. A tooth with significant decay may be crowned to protect it from future infection, a broken tooth may be crowned to repair its fractured structure, worn or weak teeth can be crowned to protect them from splitting or crumbling, and crowns are also commonly used to cover root canal teeth to bolster their weakened structure.  

Dr. Le will examine your tooth to determine if it can be restored with a crown. If so, we’ll prep your tooth for treatment by filing down jagged edges or reshaping its structure. If part of your tooth is missing, we may rebuild its structure with composite resin material before covering it with a crown. Porcelain crowns are custom-made in a lab to fit the exact size, shape, and color of the teeth to be fixed. This ensures a perfect fit and blending with your natural smile. Dental crowns give damaged teeth a new structure for biting and chewing to restore their functionality.  

Getting a crown won’t cause pain or discomfort, as Dr. Le will numb your mouth during the procedure. We also offer nitrous oxide to make you as comfortable as possible during your treatment.

Generally, porcelain crowns have a long lifespan of 15 or more years. That’s contingent, of course, on how well you care for your crowned teeth. Porcelain is comparable in strength and endurance to natural tooth enamel, and with good oral care, your crown will serve you well for many years.   

Crowns require the same maintenance and care as natural teeth. Brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and biannual dental cleanings will keep your crown in great shape for years.