Dental
Crowns
 What
are dental crowns and why are they so useful?
A crown is a restoration
that covers, or caps, a tooth, replacing the enamel
layer, and creating an ideal size, shape and color.
It strengthens the tooth so that it may function
comfortably for many more years. Crowns are placed
for a number of reasons:
When
these problems occur, a well-constructed crown
is the best, long-term remedy. There are three
broad categories of crowns:
1. Metallic crowns,
usually gold, are used mainly on the rearmost
teeth where strength is very important. 2. Porcelain-Bonded-to-Metal
crowns are used throughout the mouth where strength
and cosmetics are equally important. 3. All-Ceramic
crowns are for those teeth that show when you
smile, where cosmetic appearance is of the utmost
importance.
Dr. Loshin's crowns
involve a "system" of materials and
techniques that all work together to provide a
superior result. Old fillings or decay are replaced
with a fluoride emitting foundation material.
This material cross-links chemically with the
special cement used to adhere the crown. In this
way, a long-term decay-preventive feature is built
into every crown, enhancing the likelihood of
trouble-free service for many years. This attention
to special preventive dentistry techniques is
a hallmark of Dr. Loshin's practice.
The experience
of having a tooth prepared for a crown should
be no more difficult than having routine fillings
placed. Many patients watch a movie, TV or listen
to music during the procedure.
Digital photographs
and computerized shade matching are used to achieve
the best possible cosmetic result. We are unlike
most dental offices that "send out"
this laboratory work. Instead we have a state-of-the-art
ceramic lab onsite, with a full-time dental ceramist
on call to personally work with you to correctly
color your new teeth.
On the second
appointment the crown is gently placed on the
tooth for your approval. When (and only when)
you, Dr. Loshin, and our ceramist, all agree that
the new crown is fitting well, and properly colored,
will we proceed to cement it to your tooth. Crowns
require no special upkeep beyond regular good
preventive dental hygiene with tooth brushing
and flossing.
In the photo
to your left the broken tooth #6, plus teeth #7
and #8 were recently restored with cosmetic porcelain/metal
crowns. Teeth #4 and #5 have old style crowns
and are over 20 years old. They are less attractive
than current state-of-the-art restorations.
Contact
us today by calling 206.682.3093 or online
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