A dental crown is a customized “cap” that is permanently placed over a weakened or damaged tooth and serves as a cosmetic restorative treatment that both strengthens the tooth and improves its appearance and shape. Crowns can also be used in coordination with dental bridges and dental implants to replace missing teeth.

Dental crowns can be made from a variety of materials such as gold and base metal alloy, although most crowns are made from either ceramic or porcelain-fused metal. Dr. di Bari goes the metal-free route with ceramic crowns. Ceramic crowns look more like natural teeth and their strength and composition better match natural teeth, so they don’t cause undue stress on neighboring teeth.

Dr. di Bari places dental crowns in two appointments, a week apart.

Appointment One

Dr. di Bari does a thorough examination during this initial appointment, which may include X-rays if they have not been taken previously. He needs to determine whether the tooth is strong enough and if there is enough left of the tooth to support a crown.

If everything looks good, the second part of the appointment will focus on preparing the tooth for the permanent crown and on making an impression for a dental lab to use to create the crown. Dr. di Bari makes room for the permanent crown by thinning or shaving the tooth enamel slightly so the crown will fit over the tooth.

Some patients will feel discomfort during this process, so Dr. di Bari may give you a local anesthetic to numb you. He concludes the appointment by cementing a temporary crown in place while you wait a week for your new crown.

Appointment Two

When your custom crown is ready, Dr. di Bari removes the temporary crown and places the permanent one. You’ll be given a local anesthetic to numb you during this appointment, which can last an hour or two. Finally, Dr. di Bari may make slight adjustments to the crown to ensure that you have a proper bite and that the fit is correct.

Dr. di Bari of Sunnyvale, California, has been helping patients of all ages restore their smile and maintain good oral health for decades. If you need to replace an aging crown or get a new one, book an appointment online or call today.