Dental Crowns – Branford, CT

Why Choose New Haven Dental Group
for Dental Crowns?

• Custom-designed for each patient
• 100% porcelain restorations available
• Designed to look amazing and stand the test of time

What Are Dental Crowns?

A dental crown gets its name from the fact that it sits on top of a natural tooth, covering the entire portion that is visible above the gum line. A crown fulfills two important roles: It protects any fragile or weakened enamel, and it restores a tooth’s original shape and appearance. Crowns help us save damaged teeth from extraction, which is a more conservative approach that brings long-term oral health benefits to patients.

How We Use Dental Crowns

With a dental crown, we can:

• Repair a cavity that is too large for a filling
• Hold a tooth together that has experienced physical trauma
• Prevent a cracked tooth from suffering further damage
• Protect a tooth following root canal therapy
• Improve the appearance of an aesthetically imperfect tooth
• Correct an imbalanced bite to relieve TMJ pain and/or headaches
• Replace a missing tooth (when paired with a dental implant)

Crowns can be made from a variety of materials, including gold, silver, porcelain, and more. The material we choose for each patient is based on where a tooth is located in the mouth as well as the patient’s unique circumstances. Generally, a back tooth must be as durable as possible, so may recommend a metal crown, while a front tooth needs to be strong and aesthetically pleasing, in which case we will recommend an all-porcelain crown.

What Happens During the Procedure?

The procedure to get a crown involves three basic stages that will take place over the course of two appointments:

• First, your dentist examines your tooth and may recommend a crown as a treatment option. If you agree, you proceed to the next two steps.
• Your tooth will need to be reshaped slightly in order to fit beneath the crown. After numbing you, your dentist will gently remove any damaged or decayed enamel and shape the tooth as necessary. Once this is complete, they will take impressions and images of your tooth and send them to a dental lab, which will create your crown. Before you leave this first appointment, your dentist will protect the tooth with a temporary restoration.
• Roughly one week later, you will return to our dental office to have your temporary restoration removed and your final crown attached to your tooth. After your dentist checks the fit and your bite one last time, the procedure is complete.

What to Expect with Dental Crowns

Immediately following the procedure, your tooth might feel extra sensitive for a few days, but this should subside naturally. To take care of your crown, all you need to do is treat it like a natural tooth; you should brush, floss, attend regular checkups, and avoid any risky habits that might damage your teeth. If you care well for your crown, it should last for about 15 – 20 years.