Ask The Doctor

Dental Caps & Crowns

As we age, many of us find ourselves with teeth that are no longer structurally sound. Root canals, lost fillings, decay below a filling, chipping and cracking of the enamel are all things that can lead to large scale defects in a tooth's surface. When the entire surface of the tooth is a problem, but the root system is intact, a cap/crown might be what the dentist orders.

Grinding your teeth, an improper bite, age, fillings and tooth decay can all be contributing factors in the wearing down, cracking or breakage of your teeth. Dental caps/crowns cover the entire visible surface of your affected tooth and add strength, durability and tooth stability.

Your cosmetic dentist will usually be able to spot problem areas in your mouth that might lead to tooth damage and a need for caps/crowns. Chewing patterns play a big role as well. By selectively grinding the tips of your middle and back teeth (cusps) will alter your bite to reduce the stress on at-risk teeth.

In other instances, caps/crowns are used to replace a actual missing tooth. These caps/crowns are anchored to the teeth on either side, with a bridge section connecting the two caps/crowns. Instead of bridges, single tooth dental implants may be used that eliminate the need for supporting the caps/crowns.

Your cosmetic dentist will make an impression of the tooth and a dental laboratory will create the cap/crown. You will typically leave the office with a temporary cap/crown to wear while the permanent cap/crown is being made - this takes about two weeks. The permanent cap/crown is then cemented onto your tooth. Typically, only two visits are required for this part of the procedure. Often, a preliminary restoration of your tooth may be needed before a cap/crown can be placed. To stabilize your tooth, a filling must first be put in place prior to placing a cap/crown due to the loss of original tooth structure. Tooth caps/crowns usually last ten to fifteen years.

Mouthwashes are generally cosmetic and do not have a long-lasting effect on bad breath. If you must constantly use a breath freshener to hide unpleasant mouth odor, see your dentist. If you need extra help in controlling plaque, your dentist may recommend using a special antimicrobial mouthrinse. A fluoride mouthrinse, used along with brushing and flossing, can help prevent tooth decay.