Dental crowns are a versatile way to restore and protect damaged teeth and to complete a smile marred by gaps

Dr. Imran Ahmed and the associates who practice at Let’s Smile Dental in New York City enjoy partnering with their patients. They get great satisfaction from helping their patients protect the health of their teeth and gums. When oral health is maintained, happy and attractive smiles follow. This approach also supports overall health and wellbeing.

Should your tooth sustain damage that can’t be remedied with oral hygiene modifications alone, we recommend restorative treatment. Crowns are one of the most basic types of dental restorations.

Crowns explained

Teeth damaged by decay or severe fractures may be restored to their natural appearance, healthy function, and structure with crowns. Also known as “caps,” crowns are dental materials precisely designed and shaped to fit over the natural tooth structure. Think of this process as similar to how a cap or crown may securely fit over a person’s head.

Crowns are also appropriate for patients with large cavities or big fillings. Large fillings to repair big cavities or holes in the teeth are not ideal; the filling may not provide sufficient support to protect the tooth. Teeth treated with big fillings are generally more vulnerable to fractures and further damage.

In addition, crowns may be used to cover up very discolored or irregularly-shaped teeth. They can also be used to replace teeth that are restored with a dental bridge or dental implants. A diverse range of patients with vastly different needs can benefit from dental crowns.

How crowns are “made to fit”

At Let’s Smile Dental, we use advanced technologies to assess your needs and plan for your treatment. Both the natural tooth and the crown (or replacement tooth structure) must be “prepared.” Preparation generally involves reducing the tooth. That way, the crown fits nicely over the natural tooth. The crowns are also made from impressions or models of the prepared teeth. Our precise approach to planning supports the fabrication of crowns that look and feel natural. Our dental lab also uses quality materials to make the permanent crown.

Temporary crowns are placed to protect the treatment site. Once the permanent crown is ready, patients return to our office. We remove the temporary and, before cementing the permanent in place, make minor adjustments as needed. Smile! You can now treat your crowned tooth like the rest of your healthy, natural teeth. Maintain good care at home and checkups at our practice, as recommended by your dentist.

Crowns may be made from various materials, including dental ceramics like porcelain and metal alloys like gold. Some crowns are even made from a combination of ceramic and metal. We look forward to discussing the advantages and disadvantages of various options during a consultation. Please call our practice at (212) 831-8940.