Restore and Protect a Damaged or Weakened Tooth
A dental crown covers the visible portion of a tooth to restore its shape, strength and appearance. At Pure Dentistry Arts, Dr. Jonathan Rodney provides custom dental crowns in Brooklyn, New York, using materials selected for the location of the tooth, your bite and your restorative goals.
Do you have a cracked, worn or severely damaged tooth? Call 347-223-5850 or contact Pure Dentistry Arts to schedule an evaluation.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown, sometimes called a cap, is a custom restoration that fits over a prepared natural tooth. It replaces the tooth’s damaged outer structure while restoring its size, contours and contact with neighboring teeth.
Crowns are also used to restore dental implants and support certain dental bridges. Although crowns are designed for durability, the underlying tooth and surrounding gums still require daily care and regular professional evaluation.
When Is a Dental Crown Recommended?
Dr. Rodney may recommend a crown when a tooth requires more protection than a direct filling can provide.
A dental crown may be used to:
- Reinforce a tooth weakened by a large filling or extensive decay
- Restore a cracked, broken or significantly worn tooth
- Protect certain teeth after root canal treatment
- Rebuild the visible portion of a dental implant
- Support a traditional dental bridge
- Improve the shape of a severely malformed tooth
- Cover significant discoloration when a conservative cosmetic treatment is not suitable
If damage is limited, a dental filling, bonding, inlay or onlay may preserve more natural tooth structure. Dr. Rodney will explain whether a crown or a more conservative restoration is appropriate.
Benefits of a Custom Dental Crown
A properly designed crown can rebuild a tooth that has lost substantial structure and help distribute bite forces across the restoration.
Potential benefits include:
- Strengthening and covering weakened tooth structure
- Restoring the shape and size of a damaged tooth
- Improving contact with neighboring and opposing teeth
- Supporting more comfortable biting and chewing
- Protecting certain root canal-treated teeth
- Coordinating the restoration with surrounding teeth
A crown does not make a tooth immune to decay or future damage. Cavities can still develop near the crown’s edge, and the restoration can wear, chip or loosen over time.
Dental Crown Materials
The material selected for your crown depends on the tooth’s location, appearance, available space and the forces placed on it.
Options at Pure Dentistry Arts include:
All-Porcelain or Ceramic Crowns
Porcelain and ceramic materials can be shaded to coordinate with natural teeth. They are often considered when appearance is an important part of treatment planning.
Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia is a strong ceramic material that can be used for front or back teeth depending on the clinical situation. Its strength and tooth-colored appearance make it useful for many restorative applications.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns combine an internal metal structure with an outer porcelain surface. They provide strength while allowing the visible portion to resemble a natural tooth.
No single material is best for every tooth. Dr. Rodney will explain the benefits and limitations of the options appropriate for your case.
Same-Day and Laboratory-Made Dental Crowns
Pure Dentistry Arts offers digital scanning and same-day crown technology for appropriate cases. A same-day crown can be digitally designed and created in the office, allowing some patients to receive their final restoration during one appointment.
Same-day treatment is not appropriate for every tooth or material. Some crowns are created by a dental laboratory and require two appointments.
For a laboratory-made crown:
- The tooth is numbed, treated and shaped to create space for the restoration.
- A digital scan or impression records the prepared tooth and surrounding bite.
- A temporary crown protects the tooth while the final restoration is created.
- At the follow-up appointment, the temporary crown is removed.
- The final crown is evaluated for fit, contacts, color and bite before placement.
Dr. Rodney will determine whether same-day or laboratory fabrication is more appropriate for your tooth.
What to Expect After Crown Placement
Temporary sensitivity to temperature or pressure can occur after a tooth is prepared and restored. The gums around the crown may also feel tender for a short period.
Contact Pure Dentistry Arts if:
- Your bite feels uneven or the crown contacts first
- The crown feels loose or moves
- Persistent pain or sensitivity does not improve
- The crown chips, cracks or comes off
- You notice swelling, an unpleasant taste or gum irritation
Do not attempt to repair or permanently recement a loose crown yourself. Dr. Rodney should examine the restoration and the underlying tooth.
How to Care for a Dental Crown
Crowns require the same consistent hygiene as natural teeth. Plaque can collect where the crown meets the gumline, increasing the risk of decay and gum inflammation.
To protect your restoration:
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Clean between the crowned tooth and neighboring teeth every day
- Avoid chewing ice and other extremely hard objects
- Wear a recommended night guard if you grind or clench your teeth
- Attend regular dental exams and professional cleanings
The lifespan of a crown varies based on its material, location, bite forces, oral hygiene and habits. No dental restoration should be considered permanent.
Extensive Dental Crown Experience in Brooklyn, New York
Dr. Jonathan Rodney has completed more than 1,400 dental crown cases and at least 90 hours of continuing education focused on restorative dentistry. His experience includes conventional laboratory-made crowns, digital impressions and same-day crown technology.
At Pure Dentistry Arts, Dr. Rodney considers the health of the underlying tooth, gums and bite before recommending a crown. The objective is to preserve the natural tooth when possible and select a restoration appropriate for its clinical demands.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns
How much does a dental crown cost?
The cost depends on the crown material, tooth location, fabrication method and whether additional treatment is needed. Pure Dentistry Arts accepts major credit cards and CareCredit™, and our team will review anticipated fees before treatment begins.
Does getting a dental crown hurt?
Local anesthesia is typically used while the tooth is prepared. You may feel pressure during treatment and temporary sensitivity afterward, but significant pain is not expected. Tell our team if you are uncomfortable.
Can I receive a dental crown in one appointment?
Some patients qualify for a same-day crown created with digital design and in-office fabrication technology. Other cases require a laboratory-made crown and a second appointment. Dr. Rodney will recommend the appropriate method.
How long does a dental crown last?
Crown longevity varies according to the material, tooth location, bite forces, hygiene and habits such as grinding or chewing hard objects. Regular dental visits allow Dr. Rodney to monitor the crown and underlying tooth.
What is the difference between a crown and a filling?
A filling replaces a localized area of damaged tooth structure. A crown covers the visible portion of a prepared tooth and is generally recommended when more extensive support or coverage is needed.
Does every root canal-treated tooth need a crown?
Not every root canal-treated tooth has the same restorative needs. Crowns are frequently recommended for back teeth or teeth that have lost significant structure. Dr. Rodney will evaluate the tooth before recommending the final restoration.
What should I do if my temporary crown comes off?
Contact Pure Dentistry Arts promptly. Avoid chewing on the affected tooth and do not use household glue. Our team will explain how to protect the area until the temporary crown can be evaluated or replaced.
Can a crowned tooth still develop a cavity?
Yes. Decay can develop near the edge of a crown where the restoration meets the natural tooth. Daily brushing, cleaning between teeth and regular professional care help protect the underlying tooth.
Schedule a Dental Crown Consultation in Brooklyn, New York
A custom crown can restore a damaged tooth when a filling or more conservative treatment is not sufficient. Dr. Jonathan Rodney can evaluate the tooth and explain the available materials and fabrication options.
Call 347-223-5850 or request an appointment online to learn more about dental crowns in Brooklyn, New York.
