Tooth Crown, Teeth Crown, Dental Crown
Springfield, Holyoke, Longmeadow, and Wilbraham, MA
Do you have some large metal fillings that are starting to threaten or disfigure the teeth they fill? At some point, metal fillings need to be replaced, either with another metal filling or with a tooth-colored filling. In some cases, a porcelain dental onlay can restore the tooth, but in others, the metal filling fractures or breaks the tooth and then a crown is needed.
Tooth crowns entirely cover a tooth to strengthen it, give it new surfaces, and help prolong its life. At Baystate Dental, we offer several tooth crown options:
- All-porcelain crowns
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns
- Gold alloy crowns
Porcelain tooth crowns are made to blend naturally with the rest of your teeth so you will not have to be self-conscious about your dental restoration.
Many Functions for Dental Crowns
Besides restoring a tooth damaged by an old metal filling, dental crowns can also:
- Renew a worn down tooth
- Beautify a tooth that is severely discolored
- Make a misshapen tooth more aesthetically pleasing
- Anchor a dental bridge
- Replace a decayed tooth crown after a root canal has corrected decay in the tooth root
- Form a new tooth when a tooth is lost and a dental implant is used to hold the replacement tooth
The Dental Crown Procedure
It takes two office appointments to restore your tooth with a crown. This is because the crown must be custom-crafted in a dental laboratory to precisely fit your tooth and bite. There are several steps to implementing a dental crown:
- Your tooth is numbed with topical and local anesthetic
- All decay is removed
- The tooth is shaped to securely hold the crown
- A precise impression (mold) is taken of your teeth and sent to the dental laboratory
- A temporary crown is placed on the tooth while the laboratory crafts your permanent crown (one to two weeks)
- On your second visit, your temporary crown is removed and the new permanent crown is fitted
- When you and the dentist are satisfied with the fit, appearance and bite, the crown is permanently cemented in place
We are planning to acquire a CEREC system some time in 2010. That will mean we can create your crown here in our office instead of having a dental lab do it. Therefore you will have only one visit for your crown, as we will make it in a few minutes while you wait.
Please see How Dental Crowns are Made for details about each type of dental crown.
If you have questions about dental crowns and would like to speak with one of our experienced cosmetic dentists at Baystate Dental about how this procedure may help restore your smile, please contact our office today for an initial teeth crown consultation in one of our East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Wilbraham, West Springfield and Springfield, MA offices.
- Baystate Dental has given me the confidence in myself to seek treatment without shame and provided me with constant encouragement to come back, fully dressed with my smile, in order to make my smile the best it can be. - Samantha P., Brockton, MA
- I can finally smile now without any broken teeth. It is a great feeling to go for my cleaning and not need anything else!
- Lisa C., Belchertown, MA - I have succeeded as a magician because of the smile they helped me achieve... without their help, my life would literally not be the same.
- Paul P., Springfield, MA - I really can't say "thank you" enough to everyone there but what I can say is I am a proud patient of Baystate Dental and always will be.
- Sara S., Ludlow, MA - When I found Baystate Dental PC, it was like hitting the jackpot! I have never experienced such great care, compassion and excellent customer service!
- Jody H., Hadley, MA - The preparation, time, knowledge and caring that I received at Baystate Dental was extraordinary and very promising.
- Debbie D., Belchertown, MA - From the moment I walk through the door, I feel relaxed. The waiting room is small and never busy and I am greeted right away with a smile.
- Donna S., Broad Brook, CT - My smile has been able to break language and cultural barriers and is the universal symbol of peace and friendship.
- Mark K., West Springfield, MA - I just want to thank you and your staff for one of the best dental visits we have ever experienced with our children ever!
- Guy and Krystle M.
