Dr. Joseph B. Brogdon, DDS
Chattanooga, TN

Crowns

Crowns are some of the most aesthetic and durable dental restorations we provide.  Whether one tooth or several teeth are involved, crowns help strengthen the teeth and enhance your smile.

When teeth are broken down because of decay or trauma or weakened due to oversized or worn fillings, crowns can restore teeth to healthy function and beautiful aesthetics.  With crowns we can alter tooth position, shape, size, and color.  With good care and regular check-ups, crowns can last for many years.

Most crown procedures require two appointments approximately three weeks apart.  At the first appointment the tooth is prepared for the new crown.  This may involve removing decay, removing old filling and checking for cracks.  Since porcelain is strongest at a thickness of 1 1/2 - 2 mm, the tooth must be shortened accordingly.  The sides of the tooth are reduced about 1 mm all the way around to create a cylinder shape to accept the crown.  Next, an impression, or mold, is made of the tooth which allows the dental laboratory to make a model from which the crown will be made.  At this time, a temporary acrylic crown is made to protect the tooth during the 3-4 weeks required by the lab to manufacture the crown.

For back teeth a combination of porcelain over metal is used.  The metal is for strength and the porcelain is for aesthetics.  For front teeth, crowns which are made entirely of porcelain are most often used because the appear the most natural.

A second appointment is scheduled when the crown is ready.  At this appointment, the temporary is removed and the crown is cemented, often without any anesthetic being necessary.

A new alternative to the above procedure is the CEREC crown which can often be completed in one visit without the need for impressions, temporaries, or second appointments.  Please see the page on CEREC for more information on this new procedure.