A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that completely covers a damaged tooth above the gum line, restoring its strength, shape, size, and appearance. Dental crown service in Woodbridge provides patients with a durable solution for teeth that cannot be repaired with a simple filling.
For residents seeking a reliable Dental Clinic in Woodbridge, understanding what crowns can do is essential. Crowns protect weak teeth, hold cracked teeth together, cover dental implants, and support large fillings.
Peridot Dental Care, located at 6175 Highway 7 West, Unit 7, Woodbridge, Ontario, specializes in same-day and traditional crown services. You can reach the team at (647) 313-4164 or email info@peridotdentalcare.com. Peridot Dental Care is one of the best dental clinics in Woodbridge, offering high-quality restorative dentistry.
What Is a Dental Crown Service?
A dental crown service involves the complete process of preparing a tooth, taking impressions, fabricating a custom crown, and permanently cementing it in place. Crowns can be made from several materials, each with specific advantages.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns combine a metal substructure for strength with a porcelain outer layer for aesthetics. These are durable and suitable for back teeth. All ceramic crowns, including zirconia and lithium disilicate, offer superior aesthetics and are metal free. They are ideal for front teeth. Gold crowns are extremely durable and cause minimal wear to opposing teeth, but they are not cosmetic.
For those needing comprehensive Dental Care in Woodbridge, crowns are a cornerstone of restorative treatment. A well made crown can last 10 to 15 years or longer with proper care.
The dental crown process typically requires two appointments. The first appointment involves tooth preparation and temporary crown placement. The second appointment involves fitting and cementing the permanent crown.
Finding an experienced Dentist in Woodbridge ensures your crown fits precisely, with proper contours and contact points that allow easy cleaning and healthy gums.
Signs That Indicate You Need a Dental Crown
Many patients do not realize they need a crown until they experience symptoms. Here are common signs.
Large or broken fillings that involve more than half of the tooth’s biting surface cannot support a new filling. The remaining tooth structure is too weak. A crown encases the entire tooth, distributing forces evenly and preventing fracture.
Cracked tooth syndrome causes sharp pain when biting or releasing. The crack opens and closes with pressure. A crown holds the tooth together, preventing the crack from propagating to the root.
After root canal therapy, the tooth becomes brittle because the blood supply is removed. A crown protects the tooth from fracturing under normal chewing forces. Back teeth that have had root canals almost always need crowns.
Severe tooth decay that has destroyed a significant portion of the tooth requires a crown once the decay is removed and the tooth is rebuilt with a core filling.
Worn down teeth from grinding or acid erosion can be restored to normal height and shape with crowns. This often improves bite function and facial appearance.
At Peridot Dental Care, the team evaluates each tooth individually to determine whether a crown, filling, or alternative restoration is most appropriate.
Choosing the Right Crown Material
Selecting the best crown material depends on the tooth location, your aesthetic goals, and functional needs.
Zirconia crowns are extremely strong and highly aesthetic. They are metal free and biocompatible. Zirconia is ideal for both front and back teeth because it resists chipping and causes minimal wear to opposing teeth.
Lithium disilicate crowns offer superior translucency that mimics natural tooth enamel. These are excellent for front teeth and premolars where aesthetics are the primary concern. They are strong but slightly less durable than zirconia for heavy chewing loads.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns provide good strength at a moderate cost. However, the metal substructure can create a dark line at the gum over time, especially if gum recession occurs. These are still widely used for back teeth where appearance is less critical.
Gold crowns are the most durable option. They never chip or crack and cause minimal wear to opposing teeth. The metallic color makes them unsuitable for visible areas, but they are excellent for patients who grind their teeth heavily.
For specialized Dental Crown Service in Woodbridge, the team uses high quality materials and precise techniques to ensure long lasting results.
The Step by Step Dental Crown Process
Understanding each step helps reduce anxiety and sets realistic expectations.
Step 1: Examination and Diagnosis
Your dentist examines the tooth, takes X rays to see the root and surrounding bone, and checks for cracks using transillumination (shining a light through the tooth). Bite tests identify which cusp (pointed part of the tooth) causes pain when pressure is applied.
Step 2: Anesthesia and Tooth Preparation
Local anesthesia numbs the tooth and the surrounding gum. Your dentist then shapes the tooth by removing a precise thickness of enamel from all surfaces. The amount removed matches the thickness of the crown you will receive. For all ceramic crowns, 1.2 to 1.5 millimeters is removed. For porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, slightly more removal is needed.
If the tooth has significant decay or damage, a core buildup is placed. This is a filling material that rebuilds the tooth’s core to provide a solid foundation for the crown.
Step 3: Impression Taking
After preparation, your dentist takes an impression of the prepared tooth and the opposing teeth. Digital impressions using an intraoral scanner are faster and more comfortable than traditional putty. The digital file is sent directly to a dental laboratory.
A temporary crown is fabricated chairside using a preformed shell or 3D printed material. The temporary is cemented with soft temporary cement, protecting the prepared tooth and maintaining gum position while the permanent crown is made.
Step 4: Laboratory Fabrication
The dental laboratory uses your impression to create a stone model of your teeth. A skilled technician builds your crown layer by layer, matching the color, translucency, and shape of your natural teeth. This takes 2 to 3 weeks for traditional crowns.
For same day crowns using CAD CAM technology, the crown is milled from a solid block of ceramic while you wait. The entire process from preparation to cementation takes about 2 hours.
Step 5: Permanent Crown Placement
At your second appointment, the temporary crown is removed. Your dentist checks the fit of the permanent crown, verifying margins (where the crown meets the tooth) are smooth and closed. The bite is checked with articulating paper. Any high spots are adjusted.
Once fit and bite are perfect, the crown is cleaned, dried, and cemented with permanent dental cement. Your dentist removes excess cement and polishes the margins.
Step 6: Follow Up
A follow up appointment 2 weeks later checks your bite and gum health around the new crown. Minor adjustments can be made. Your dentist shows you how to floss around the crown, as flossing technique differs slightly for crowned teeth.
Professional Advice for Dental Crown Patients
Following professional advice ensures your crown lasts as long as possible.
Avoid chewing hard foods on the new crown for the first 24 hours. Permanent cement reaches full strength in about 24 hours. During this time, the crown could shift if subjected to heavy forces.
Be aware of temporary crown limitations. Temporary crowns are not as strong as permanent ones. Avoid sticky candies like caramels or taffy that can pull the temporary off. Avoid chewing ice on the temporary side.
Report any rough edges or high bite immediately. A crown that feels too high when you bite can cause tooth pain and may crack the opposing tooth. Call your dentist for a quick adjustment.
Maintain excellent hygiene around the crown. Plaque accumulates at the crown margin where the crown meets the tooth. This margin is vulnerable to decay if not cleaned. Floss around the crown by sliding the floss through the contact and pulling it out the side rather than snapping it back up.
Common Patient Mistakes to Avoid
Delaying crown placement after diagnosis. A tooth that needs a crown is already compromised. Every day you wait increases the risk of fracture extending below the gum line, making the tooth non restorable.
Skipping the temporary crown. Some patients ask to skip the temporary crown to save time or money. This is a serious mistake. The prepared tooth is vulnerable to fracture, temperature sensitivity, and shifting. Adjacent teeth may drift into the space. Gums may overgrow.
Choosing a crown based on price alone. Lower cost crowns often use lower quality materials or are fabricated by less skilled laboratories. A poorly fitting crown traps food and bacteria, leading to decay under the crown and eventual tooth loss.
Ignoring bite adjustments. A crown that is slightly too high causes the tooth to receive excess force. This leads to pain, gum inflammation, and potentially root fracture. Always speak up if your bite feels wrong.
Safety Warnings
Dental crowns are very safe, but certain risks exist.
Allergic reactions to metals in porcelain fused to metal crowns are rare but possible. Patients with known metal allergies should choose all ceramic crowns.
Crown dislodgement can occur if the cement fails or if the tooth underneath develops decay. A loose crown should be replaced promptly to prevent further damage.
Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold is common for a few weeks after crown placement. This usually resolves as the gum tissue heals. Persistent sensitivity may indicate the need for root canal therapy.
Gum recession around crown margins can expose the metal margin of porcelain fused to metal crowns, creating a dark line at the gum. Zirconia and lithium disilicate crowns do not have this problem.
Prevention and Maintenance Tips
A properly cared for crown can last 15 years or longer. Follow these tips.
Brush twice daily with a soft toothbrush and non abrasive toothpaste. Avoid whitening toothpastes that contain silicates or baking soda, which can scratch the crown surface.
Floss daily using the correct technique. Slide the floss through the contact point. Curve the floss around the crown margin in a C shape. Go slightly below the gum line. Pull the floss out through the side rather than snapping back up.
Use a water flosser on low pressure. Water flossers help flush debris from under the crown margin. Use a soft tip and low pressure to avoid blasting bacteria deeper into the pocket.
Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth. Grinding applies heavy forces to your crowns, which can crack porcelain or loosen cement. A custom nightguard distributes forces evenly.
Visit your dentist every 6 months for checkups. Your dentist will take X rays every 12 to 24 months to check for decay under the crown. Decay under a crown is often invisible until it is extensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a dental crown from start to finish?
Traditional crowns require two appointments over 2 to 3 weeks. The first appointment for preparation and impressions takes 60 to 90 minutes. Laboratory fabrication takes 2 to 3 weeks. The second appointment for placement takes 30 to 45 minutes. Same day crowns using CAD CAM technology are completed in a single 2 hour appointment. The same day option is available for suitable cases at many dental offices.
Does getting a dental crown hurt?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you should feel no sharp pain during tooth preparation. You may feel pressure and vibration. After the anesthesia wears off, the prepared tooth and surrounding gum may be sore for a few days. The gum tissue where the crown margin sits may feel tender. Over the counter pain relievers usually manage this discomfort well. Most patients return to normal activities immediately after each appointment.
How long do dental crowns last?
Dental crowns typically last 10 to 15 years with proper care. Some well maintained crowns last 20 years or longer. Crown lifespan depends on several factors: your oral hygiene habits, whether you grind your teeth, the crown material used, the skill of the dentist and laboratory technician, and the health of the tooth underneath. All ceramic crowns today have excellent longevity comparable to traditional porcelain fused to metal crowns.
Can a crown get a cavity?
The crown itself cannot get a cavity because it is made of ceramic or metal. However, the tooth underneath the crown can develop decay at the margin where the crown meets the tooth. This margin is vulnerable if plaque accumulates. Decay under a crown is often painless until it becomes extensive. Regular dental X rays detect this decay early. If caught early, the decay can be removed and the crown refilled or replaced. If decay reaches the nerve, root canal therapy may be needed.
What is the difference between a crown and a veneer?
A crown covers the entire visible portion of the tooth, including all surfaces (front, back, sides, and biting surface). A veneer covers only the front surface of the tooth, similar to a false fingernail. Crowns are used for teeth with significant structural damage, large fillings, or root canal treated teeth. Veneers are used for cosmetic improvements on otherwise healthy teeth with minor chips, discoloration, or gaps. Crowns require more tooth reduction than veneers.
Conclusion
Dental crowns are a reliable, long lasting solution for teeth that are too damaged for fillings but still have healthy roots. The process involves tooth preparation, impression taking, temporary crown placement, laboratory fabrication, and permanent cementation. Modern materials like zirconia and lithium disilicate offer outstanding strength and natural aesthetics. With proper oral hygiene, regular dental checkups, and protection from grinding, a crown can serve you well for 15 years or longer. Choosing an experienced dental team and following professional advice are the keys to success.
