Dental crowns are tooth-shaped “caps” that are placed over a tooth. Crowns come in various materials and are usually placed to protect teeth with very large fillings, broken tooth structures, or extensive decay. They also protect teeth when root canal treatment is completed. They are one of the most common procedures performed in our office, restoring teeth to optimal function and aesthetics.
At McOmber Dental, we take pride in our attention to detail while preparing and fitting a dental crown for our patients. Custom-made temporaries are always made- no stock or prefabricated materials are ever used. All restorations are critiqued and carefully examined by our doctors before placement. Most importantly, each and every patient is given the opportunity to examine their restoration in the mirror, approving the color, shape, and overall feel before cementation. Our priority is to deliver clinically exceptional restorations every time.
Reasons You May Need a Dental Crown
A dental crown may be needed for one or more of your teeth for several reasons, including:
- To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down.
- To hold a dental bridge in place.
- To cover a dental implant.
- To make a cosmetic modification.
- You have a cracked, broken, or worn-down tooth.
- You have a tooth that has undergone a root canal treatment.
- You have a tooth with a large filling that needs extra support.
Types of Dental Crowns
At McOmber Dental, we offer several types of dental crowns made from different materials. We select the appropriate type of crown based on the situation and consider factors such as the patient’s bite, tooth location, biting force, and aesthetic demands.
Digital Impressions
Digital impressions are our latest technological advancement at McOmber Dental. Putty impressions for dental treatment are a thing of the past; we utilize the TRIOS intraoral scanner for all our crown impressions. This technology offers a computer-generated, 3D-printed model of a patient’s teeth and gums, eliminating the need for impression material and does not induce the gag reflex. It’s quick, pain-free, and extremely accurate.
Porcelain Crowns
All porcelain crowns meet the demands of the most discerning patients. Our doctors recommend these types of crowns on front teeth to ensure the most natural appearance.
Porcelain Fuse to High Noble Metal
These types of crowns are commonly used in the molar region of the mouth. Porcelain is layered on top of a metal core. High noble metals are used to assure strength and longevity.
Gold Crowns
Gold remains an excellent material to use in the molar region of the mouth while fabricating crowns. Gold crowns are also the friendliest to the oral environment, mimicking the wear properties of natural tooth enamel. The benefits of gold crowns have been documented in numerous studies and have a long track record as being the ideal material to place in the mouth. Gold crowns are especially suited for patients who grind their teeth, as gold will not chip or fracture.
Crowns using cheaper base metals, such as nickel and cobalt, are not used in our practice for a number of reasons, including an unnatural appearance under layered porcelain and a higher probability of allergic reactions.
Relationship with Dental Laboratories
The dentist’s role in fabricating a dental crown is typically limited to what is done chairside in the office; the rest of the work is done off-site by a laboratory technician.
At McOmber Dental, we are proud to have a longstanding relationship with our prosthetics lab. We do not use mass production facilities or outsource any of our lab work overseas; instead, we rely on outstanding technicians who understand our treatment goals. All cases are discussed, and digital photography is used for color matching of porcelain and a superior cosmetic outcome.
Contact McOmber Dental for a Dental Crown Consultation
Our practice is called comprehensive dentistry because our highly-trained staff can cater to almost all your dental needs in one setting. No longer will you have to go to a specialist for root canals, pediatric care, extractions, or dental implants. Additionally, Dr. McOmber is among a handful of dentists in New Jersey to have earned the state sedation permit, meaning that you can rest easy during any dental procedure. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or consultation.