Most people will experience damage to the surface (enamel) of their teeth at some point. Teeth become cracked, chipped or discolored due to a large range of causes, from severe trauma to the natural effects of day-to-day wear.

When decay or damage to the surface of a tooth becomes significant, the tooth can be reduced and a custom-made tooth bonded or cemented to its surface. This restoration is called a "crown." Our porcelain crowns are fashioned in a dental laboratory by trained technicians to provide the same strength and appearance as a healthy tooth. The color of the crown is carefully matched to the color of your surrounding teeth.

When damage to the tooth extends to the foundation (root) of the tooth, a bridge or dental implant may be a better solution. Dr. Yurovsky will discuss your options for restorations with you after an initial examination.

Procedure

First, Dr. Yurovsky will remove any decay and shape your tooth to receive a crown. The crown must be thick enough to withstand chewing forces, which means that the natural tooth below the crown must be reduced.

She will then take an impression of your tooth and note how your teeth fit together. You will then be fitted with a temporary crown while the permanent one is constructed in a dental lab. 

On a second visit, your temporary crown will be taken off and the fit of the new crown carefully checked. The final crown is then bonded or cemented in place, restoring the tooth to its natural strength, appearance and function.

Post Operative Instructions

Make sure that you avoid chewing if anesthesia has been used to numb your lips, gums and tongue. Injury can result in the hours after the procedure while the anesthetic wears off if you attempt to chew normally.

Normal reactions to these procedures include gum tenderness and sensitivity to hot, cold and pressure. Sensitivity will increase with the invasiveness of the procedure. These symptoms should go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. In some cases, the sensitivity can last longer than a couple of weeks, but this is okay as long as your gums and teeth are progressively feeling better.

We recommend ibuprofen as an anti-inflammatory. It will help reduce the inflammation in the affected area and help eliminate sensitivity if taken as indicated. However, if the pain and sensitivity continues for more than a couple of weeks or worsens over time, please contact our office for a follow up appointment.

Temporary Crowns or Bridges

It is very important for the temporary crown or bridge to remain on your tooth until Dr. Yurovsky seats your permanent crown. If the temporary crown becomes loose or comes off at any time, please call the office immediately. Your tooth can shift within a few hours if your temporary crown is missing, which can inhibit the placement of your permanent crown. You may also experience sensitivity if your temporary comes off.
If your temporary comes off or becomes loose, please carefully replace it and call the office. It is not possible to replace it incorrectly because it only fits one way.

Please avoid hard and chewy foods, such as ice, hard candy, gum and taffy as they may pull your temporary off of the prepared tooth.

Flossing is an important part of caring for your temporary. Please release one end of the floss and pull it through the side of the tooth instead of pulling it up between your teeth.

Once the anesthesia has worn off and if your bite feels uneven, please give the office a call immediately. This imbalance with your bite may cause further discomfort and should be adjusted.