How Dental Crowns Are Made
Barrie, Ontario - Canada
Do you have some teeth that need dental crowns, or that need the old crowns replaced? Perhaps you have noticed dark lines along one or more crowns that are visible when you smile? Those lines are caused by gum tissue slightly shrinking as we age, exposing the metal lining of the crowns. At Molson Park Dental Office, Dr. Chapnick and his team offer all-porcelain crowns that have no metal lining and therefore avoid that cosmetic issue.
Tooth crowns are made of a ceramic material known as dental porcelain. We use Empress® materials for dental bridges, porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns because Dr. Chapnick considers them to be of the highest quality. Your tooth crowns would be made in a dental laboratory that uses Empress materials.
We also offer e.max® ZirCAD crowns which have a zirconia lining. They use a slightly different Empress material that gives similar opalescence and strength.
The Tooth Crown Procedure
After Dr. Chapnick has done a full dental examination with x-rays and you have decided to go ahead with a dental crown, he will clean the tooth very thoroughly, removing all decay, damage, and bacterial debris. If there was an old metal filling in the tooth, he will remove all that material carefully with a special tube to draw off any mercury vapor. An old composite filling does not require that extra care because it contains no metal.
A drill need not be used for all the cleaning work, as we use a hard tissue laser which is different than the one we use for soft tissue work such as gum recontouring. The hard tissue laser can work on tooth enamel, which is the hardest substance in the body, even harder than bones. Dr. Chapnick can remove damaged tooth enamel quickly, safely, and quietly using this laser.
When the tooth and surrounding gums are entirely clean, Dr. Chapnick will take digital photos and an impression of the area to send to the dental lab. The lab technician will craft your porcelain crown to Dr. Chapnick’s specifications using Empress porcelain, which can take up to three weeks in busy times and you will have a temporary crown for that waiting period.
The temporary crown is not as strong as your permanent crown will be and is not as strongly bonded to the tooth. Therefore, you should be careful about crunchy or hard foods so as to protect it and keep it in place.
When your permanent crown arrives at our office, you will have a second visit. Dr. Chapnick will first attach it temporarily to check for fit and comfort. You can look at it in a mirror and he will make any adjustments necessary. Then he will bond it with cosmetic dentistry cement and it will then be a long-term part of the tooth.
A One-Visit Option
If you have your dental crown done at our Barrie office, only one visit will be necessary. That is because that office has a CEREC system which designs and creates porcelain restorations. We can mill your crown in that office and place it on your tooth immediately, instead of sending it out to a dental lab and having you come for a second visit to have it fitted.
For more information, please see Tooth Crown Work and Questions About Your Dental Crown.
At the Molson Park Dental Office our priority is to give you safe and effective dental service matching your own desires and goals. Dr. Chapnick and his friendly team are always happy to answer questions, and if you feel anxious about dental visits we can provide a mild sedative for you to help you relax.
Please contact us today if you would like to schedule a free general consultation or a consultation with a dental examination.
