Dental Crowns
Metal or tooth-colored dental crowns in Newport News, Virginia
Crowns - While fillings can work well for small to medium sized problems, larger problems may require a stronger solution. Crowns are stronger than fillings and are made outside of the mouth, so that the treated tooth is less likely to break.
A crown may be made of metal, tooth colored material, or a combination of the two. Regardless of the material that is used, the technique is pretty similar. First the tooth is polished down to make it smaller, then either an impression or a digital scan is made of the tooth and other nearby teeth. From this information, a laboratory can fabricate the crown to fit and function naturally.
Most crowns require two appointments - one to prepare the tooth and make the impression, and one to cement the crown onto the tooth. However, some crowns can now be made in just one appointment, using what is called cad-cam technology. This approach is generally more convenient to patients, since they don't have to wear temporary crowns or return for a second visit.
