Cosmetic Dentist Wellesley    Paul R. Chalifoux, DDS,  277 Linden Street,  Wellesley, MA 02482  781-235-1747 

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CROWNS ON BACK TEETH

Crown restores a large defective silver filling with composite fillings on adjacent teeth

Crowns are used to support a tooth when there isn't enough of the tooth remaining, protect weak teeth from fracturing, restore fractured teeth, or cover badly shaped or discolored teeth. A crown is a restoration that covers a tooth like a thimble to restore it to its normal shape and size while improving strength and appearance of a tooth. Crowns are necessary when a tooth is generally broken down and fillings won't solve the problem. If a tooth is cracked, a crown holds the tooth together to seal the cracks so the damage doesn't get worse.

To prepare the tooth for a crown, it is reduced so the crown can fit over it. An impression of teeth and gums is made and sent to the lab for the crown fabrication. A temporary crown is fitted over the tooth until the permanent crown is made. On the next visit, the dentist removes the temporary crown and cements the permanent crown onto the tooth.

Crowns require more tooth structure removal, hence, they cover more of the tooth than veneers. Crowns are customarily indicated for teeth that have sustained significant loss of structure. Crowns are made from various materials including plastics, porcelains and metals or combinations of these.

The dentist's main goal is to create crowns that look like natural teeth. To achieve a certain look, a number of factors are considered, such as the color, bite, shape, and length of your natural teeth. When the procedure is complete, your teeth will not only be stronger, but they may be more attractive.

All teeth restored with porcelain fused to metal crowns and bridges

Crowns should last approximately 12 years. However, with good oral hygiene and supervision most crowns will last for a much longer period of time. Some damaging habits like grinding your teeth, chewing ice, or fingernail biting may cause this period of time to decrease significantly.

To prevent damaging or fracturing the crowns, avoid chewing hard foods, ice or other hard objects. You also want to avoid teeth grinding. Besides visiting your dentist and brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth is vital with crowns. Floss is important to remove plaque from the crown area where the gum meets the tooth. Plaque in that area can cause dental decay and gum disease.