Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are used to restore a tooth to its original shape and size. The damaged tooth is covered with a "cap" (the crown) and cemented into place.

Crown placement is the most common dental treatment for restoring a tooth. A crown can cover worn down, cracked, or completely broken teeth, if all of the damage is above the gumline. Crowns are also essential in more extensive procedures (implants, dental bridges, and root canals), and cosmetic dentistry sometimes requires a crown.

There are five different materials available in crown manufacturing. The decision on which material is best should be made between you and Dr. Keyes, taking into account many factors, such as location in the mouth, the end cosmetic result desired, and patient budget.

All-resin crowns are the least expensive but tend to wear down easier over extended periods of time.

All-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns can color match natural existing tooth color better.

Metal crowns are usually used on back teeth, as they are silver in color, and patients prefer not to have the silver color on their front teeth. Since the chewing forces are most robust on the back teeth, metal is an excellent choice for those teeth, especially since the color is less likely to be seen that far back in the mouth.

Stainless steel crowns are usually just temporary crowns.

Porcelain fused to metal: Although the color is easily matched to the remaining teeth, the porcelain is more prone to chipping or breaking, as it is fused on a metal backing.

Call Dr. Keyes to see if one of these crowns would be the right choice for you.