Dental Crown
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Wynatte Chu, DDS
Cosmetic & General Dentist located in New York, NY & Westport, CT
Dental crown application is a two-step process that uses state-of-the-art materials and techniques to achieve a natural-looking, long-lasting result. Dr. Wynatte Chu uses beautiful durable all-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns to restore and protect teeth, and to help her patients in Westport, Connecticut, and the Tribeca and Chinatown neighborhoods of New York City feel more confident about their teeth and their smiles. All crowns are metal-free, and their custom construction makes them ideal for all teeth, including front teeth and other visible teeth.
Dental Crown Q & A
What is a dental crown?
Dental crowns are thin, strong, tooth-shaped coverings or protective shells designed to surround the entire visible part of a tooth. A dental crown serves lots of functions:
- Protect teeth used to support a dental bridge
- Hide deep discoloration that can’t be treated with teeth whitening
- Strengthen and protect badly damaged teeth and teeth that have been treated with root canals
- Support and improve the appearance of a tooth that has a large, dark filling
- Restore teeth that are broken or badly misshapen
At her practices, Dr. Chu only uses metal-free crowns made of all-ceramic or all-porcelain and expertly shaped and tinted to blend in beautifully. All-ceramic and all-porcelain crowns lend themselves to natural tinting, making them the most attractive crown restorations available today. Having teeth whitened prior to crown application ensures the crowns continue to match teeth when they look their best.
How are dental crowns applied to the teeth?
Crowns typically require 2 appointments.
First, Dr. Chu will shape the tooth, removing a small amount of the superficial part of the tooth structure to make room for the thickness of the crown.
An impression will be taken, then sent to a dental lab that specializes in beautiful, state-of-the-art dental restorations.
Dr. Chu will place a temporary crown over the tooth to protect it from damage while the permanent crown is being fabricated.
At the second appointment, Dr. Chu will remove the temporary crown and clean the tooth surface. Then she’ll place the crown on the tooth, securing it with a strong dental adhesive, check the bite, then buff and polish it so it looks great and feels completely comfortable.
What kind of care will my crown require?
Caring for a crown is simple. Like natural teeth, crowns require regular brushing and flossing to prevent plaque and tartar buildup and causing gum disease. Routine dental checkups will ensure the crown stays in good shape and the tooth it’s protecting stays healthy and free of disease.
How long do ceramic and porcelain crowns last?
Ceramic and porcelain crowns are very durable, and with proper care, they can last a decade or more. Like natural teeth, crowns can become damaged from biting or chewing on hard substances like ice or hard candies, so those activities should be avoided. And of course, teeth should never be used as tools to pry off or unscrew lids. Such activities can cause teeth and crowns to chip and fracture.