What Is A Dental Crown?

The dental crown can serve many purposes and is one of the most widely used dental restorations for restoring and enhancing teeth. A leading local dentist for restorative dentistry and an AACD dentist, Dr. Sisler places high-quality porcelain dental crowns for beautiful, long-term results.

dental crowns in Shippensburg Pennsylvania

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is custom made to fit over all surfaces of the tooth like a cap, and is sometimes called a “tooth cap”. In recent years, the strength and beauty of dental crowns have been significantly enhanced with the use of stronger, more natural looking ceramic materials. Dr. Sisler will recommend the use of porcelain whenever possible for its light-reflecting properties, stain resistance and ability to be color matched most accurately to your natural smile. A porcelain crown can be used as part of a smile makeover or to restore tooth decay or damage.

Dental crowns are made for each individual patient in a dental lab according to the specific measurements and color provided by Dr. Sisler.

How long is the dental crown process?

Placing a dental crown typically requires a minimum of two visits to our dental office. Most patients experience minimal discomfort with a local anesthetic, but Dr. Sisler can work with anxious patients to provide dental sedation during their visit. During the first visit, Dr. Sisler will prepare the tooth by removing any damaged or decayed structure and making room to place the crown comfortably, without damaging neighboring teeth. In most cases, a temporary will be placed to restore function and aesthetics. Dr. Sisler may use digital photography to analyze your facial structure and the overall appearance of your smile for the most natural looking result, especially if the crown is being placed in a highly visible location, often called the “smile zone”.

Once the new custom dental crown is complete, you will return to our office for the placement of your final restoration. During this visit, Dr. Sisler will make adjustments to the crown so that it fits snugly on the tooth and does not change the fit of your bite. The final step is to polish the surface for a smooth texture and natural looking luster.