Bruce L. Elkind, DDS, PA
Cosmetic & Family Dentistry located in Royal Palm Beach, FL
Are you missing teeth, or concerned about vulnerable teeth damaged by trauma or tooth decay? If so, consider restoring and protecting them with dental crowns at the office of Bruce L. Elkind, DDS, located in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. Dr. Elkind offers crown options to fit any need. To redeem your smile, schedule a crown placement with Bruce L. Elkind, DDS, PA, online or over the phone today.
Crowns Q&A
What are dental crowns?
Dental crowns are artificial tooth caps designed to “crown” or surround an existing tooth. Dr. Elkind may use crowns to perform a few different functions, including:
- Sheltering and protecting teeth damaged by trauma or decay
- Guarding and strengthening teeth weakened by excessively large fillings
- Protecting cracked teeth or teeth in danger of breaking
- Covering misshapen or discolored teeth
Dr. Elkind can offer crowns by themselves, or as an element of a dental implant restoration.
What are crowns made of?
At his practice, Dr. Elkind offers three types of crowns, categorized by the material of which they’re made. These are:
All-metal crowns
All-metal crowns are known for their exceptional strength, and they won’t wear down in the face of aggressive chewing and biting. However, because they are easy to spot, Dr. Elkind typically only recommends all-metal crowns for use on your back molars.
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All-porcelain (all-ceramic) crowns
All-porcelain crowns, or all-ceramic crowns, are easy to color to match your natural teeth. They blend in beautifully with your existing smile, but they aren’t as strong as all-metal crowns. They’re perfect for your front teeth, which endure a lower biting force than your back teeth.
Porcelain fused to metal crowns
Porcelain fused to metal crowns are a hybrid of all-metal and all-porcelain crowns. They consist of a porcelain (or ceramic) surface fused to an inner metal shell. Porcelain fused to metal crowns offer you the natural appearance of porcelain crowns with the durability of metal crowns.
However, sometimes the metal part of this type of crown can show up as a dark line at the bottom of your tooth. The metal portion of porcelain fused to metal crowns can also chip the porcelain portion.
What happens during a crown placement?
Dr. Elkind breaks up your crown placement procedure into a few different steps.
During your first visit to his practice, he prepares your tooth by removing a very small amount of your tooth enamel where the crown will go. This ensures that the crown will sit in line with the rest of your smile, and won’t push any of your existing teeth out of position.
During this same visit, Dr. Elkind takes an impression of your teeth with which the lab can make crowns that match your smile perfectly. Next, he selects the crown shade that best matches your natural teeth.
Once this is done, Dr. Elkind and his team clean your tooth and place a temporary crown to protect it while the lab creates your permanent crown. Typically, this takes one to two weeks.
Once Dr. Elkind has received your permanent crown, he calls you back into the office so he can remove your temporary crown and bond your permanent one in place.
After your procedure, you may experience some localized sensitivity and pain for a few days. To manage your discomfort, take over-the-counter pain medication.
If you’re interested in improving the look and/or function of your teeth, dental crowns may be right for you. To learn more about crowns or to book an appointment, contact Bruce L. Elkind, DDS, PA, online or over the phone today.
