No matter how well we care for our teeth over time, many of us will still suffer crucial damage to our teeth at some point.  Maybe it happens because of a sudden, shocking injury to the face that leaves you with an ugly crack, or perhaps your age has simply caught up with your smile. Even if you have neglected dental care and your tooth breaks down due to decay, that doesn’t mean you aren’t deserving of effective, precise treatment that will rectify the damage. Crowns are one of the restorative treatments that you may need in order to rebuild your damaged teeth and restore their functionality and beauty.

What exactly is a crown?

Crowns are essentially small “caps” that are snugly fit over the affected tooth or teeth in one’s mouth. Crowns help to repair the tooth, as well as keep it safe from new bacteria that could sneak in and cause further damage. Crowns are made from several materials, including stainless steel, traditional metal amalgam, composite resin, and dental porcelain. The type of material used will come down to a choice made by the patient, based on a professional recommendation from their dentist. While the availability of this treatment varies from practice to practice, your local dentists in Natick, MA are proud to provide crowns as an effective restorative treatment.

Crown procedures usually take around two appointments to complete. Your dentist first takes a detailed impression of the affected tooth. This impression is then used to construct a brand-new, custom-made crown that will fit your unique look perfectly. Once they’ve been completed, all that’s left to do is for your dentist to fit them in place and make any necessary adjustments.

What’s the difference between the materials used for crowns?

There are benefits and disadvantages to each.  Metal is a stronger material and is often recommended for crowns needed on the back teeth; however, it doesn’t blend in it at all to the natural color of the teeth, leading to potentially embarrassing situations. Porcelain crowns can be matched to your smile’s natural shade and allow you to keep more of your natural tooth structure, but they tend to be weaker and more expensive. Today, most dentists recommend porcelain crowns as the optimal choice for restorative treatment; however, the choice will ultimately come down the patient.

Our dentists in Natick, MA provide precise, personalized care, and they are here to help with all your restorative dentistry needs, including crowns. We also serve the areas of Framingham, Wellesley, Wayland, Weston, Ashland, Sherborn, and beyond.