A dental crown is an artificial tooth created in a laboratory that a dentist places over a damaged tooth in order to protect it from breaking or cracking. Depending on several elements, a crown can be made from different materials such as glass ceramic, lithium disilicate, porcelain fused to metal and even gold.A crown may play a protective role or purely an esthetic role to improve a smile.

Several problems may require a crown:

• To reduce the risk of fracture of a tooth when the tooth is weak or has had a root canal ;
• To rebuild a tooth that had already cracked or broken ;
• To protect a tooth that has had a large filling or when not enough natural tooth structure remains ;
• Fixed to a dental implant ;
• To improve the appearance of a tooth by changing its morphology or shape, or even it’s color if the
• tooth is severely discolored.

• The tooth requiring a crown has to be prepared by shaving away a layer thick enough to leave space for the crown. This procedure is performed under local anaesthetic for a vital tooth;
• If the tooth has had a root canal, often a prefabricated or cast post and core is necessary, to provide a solid anchor for the crown ;
• If the crown is made for a dental implant, complete healing must be ensured before inserting the crown ;
• An optical impression is made of the tooth receiving the crown. The crown is then designed via a computer program ;
• The computer then sends this information to a milling chamber that will carve the crown out of a block of ceramic or lithium disilicate;
• After the milling is completed, your dentist will check the crown to ensure it’s perfect fit ;
• The crown is then colored and fired in an oven in order to match adjacent teeth aesthetics;
• The crown is then bonded to the tooth and the last few adjustments are made.

Please note that these steps apply to ceramic or lithium disilicate crowns fabricated using CEREC technology. If the crown is made from a different material (porcelain-fused-to-metal or zirconia, etc.) more fabrication steps may be necessary such as a placing a temporary crown on the prepared tooth. A temporary crown is not needed with CEREC technology since the crown is prepared and bonded within the same appointment.

Crowns are strong and durable. If you take good care of them, they can last for 10 years or even longer. To maximize crown longevity it is important to brush the crown and floss in-between teeth as if it were a regular tooth.
Clinique dentaire Hakim’s team possess the necessary qualifications to provide you with all types of dental crowns. Whether it be to protect your tooth or for esthetic reasons, call us today to book your appointment.