Crowns (Caps)
Serving patients from Los Gatos, San Jose, Saratoga and the surrounding areas
Dental crowns are a long-term, cosmetic procedure to help improve your smile and strengthen your teeth. A dental crown is essentially a cap that fits over a specific tooth, yet appears and functions like your natural teeth. They are typically made of either all porcelain or porcelain fused to metal, depending on the patient’s need and the tooth being treated. Once the crown is in place, you would never know the difference between your natural teeth and your new dental crown and no one else will either!
What is the purpose for a Crown (Cap)?
Dental crowns help correct a variety of problems with a tooth including:
- Cover stained or discolored teeth that do not respond well to tooth whitening treatments
- Repair brittle or cracked teeth
- Repair teeth with large metal fillings
- Improve the appearance of teeth that are misshapen
- Used following a root canal procedure to strengthen tooth
Teeth become brittle or weak for a variety of reasons. Old metal fillings, wear and tear, large cavities, or trauma can cause a tooth to break or become weak. When this happens, the only way to preserve the tooth is to cover it with a dental crown.
Ignoring the problem could lead to tooth loss, which only causes a domino effect of issues in the mouth such as:
- Uneven bite
- Pain or discomfort while chewing
- Causes other teeth to shift
- Unpleasing esthetic look
- Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ)
What can I expect during my procedure for a dental crown?
Here is what you can expect if a dental crown is part of your treatment plan. During your initial appointment, impressions will be taken of your mouth, teeth, and bite. These impressions are used to make a custom-fit dental crown for your tooth.
Then, using a local anesthetic, Dr. Lippi will ensure your mouth is numb before preparing the tooth, removing any decay to shape the tooth for the dental crown. A temporary dental crown will be custom-made for you to wear on your tooth while waiting for the permanent crown to be made. The temporary crown helps protect your tooth from further damage and potential sensitivity.
Is a dental crown procedure painful?
Typically, a dental crown procedure does not result in pain, although some patients report mild discomfort that can easily be treated with over the counter anti-inflammatory medications, as directed by Dr. Lippi.
To schedule your next visit, contact Dr. Lippi’s office. We welcome patients from Los Gatos, San Jose, Saratoga and the surrounding areas.
I am so thankful to have found an office that is this amazing!
“I never write reviews but need to spread the word. Dr.Lippi’s office is professional, attentive and very caring. I felt at ease from my initial phone call to the minute I walked out the door. Great doctor, great staff!”
★★★★★ – Holly B.