A crown, sometimes called a cap, covers the whole tooth above the gumline. It is the right fix when a tooth has cracked, has more filling than tooth left, or has had a root canal. Crowns are made to match your other teeth in color and shape, and a well-made crown lasts many years.
When a crown is the right choice
A cracked tooth that hurts when you chew. A big old filling with the tooth breaking around it. A tooth after a root canal, which becomes brittle. A tooth worn flat from grinding. In each of these a filling would just break again; a crown holds the tooth together from the outside.
How it is done
Two visits. At the first, Dr. Seyal numbs the tooth, shapes it to make room for the crown, takes an impression or a digital scan, and fits a temporary crown. The lab makes the final crown over a couple of weeks. At the second visit he checks the fit, color, and bite, then cements it. The temporary comes off easily; the final one is meant to stay.
Materials
Most crowns today are all-ceramic (zirconia or porcelain), strong enough for back teeth and natural-looking for front teeth. Gold is still the longest-lasting option for a back molar if you do not mind the color. Dr. Seyal will tell you which one makes sense for the tooth in question.
What you get
- Saves a tooth that would otherwise crack and be lost
- Matched to your other teeth so it disappears
- Chew normally again on a tooth you have been avoiding
- Protects a root-canaled tooth from breaking
- Ten to fifteen years or more with normal care
Questions people ask
Dental Crowns: FAQ
Does getting a crown hurt?
No. The tooth is numbed for the shaping. Some sensitivity to cold for a few days after is normal and settles down.
How much does a crown cost?
It varies with the material and your insurance. The front desk will give you the exact number before the first visit. Call (502) 778-0999.
What is the difference between a crown and a cap?
Nothing. Cap is the older word for the same thing.
