Dental Crowns in Queens, NY

People often mix up these three terms, but they solve different problems. A crown caps a tooth that's still there — whether it's your own natural tooth or the post from a dental implant. An implant replaces the root of a tooth that's already missing. A crown then gets attached on top once the implant has healed. A bridge replaces a missing tooth in a different way. It uses crowns on the teeth next to the gap to hold a false tooth in place.

Your cosmetic dentist, who is also your family dentist, can tell you which option fits your situation. Just ask during your exam.

Your dentist may recommend a crown when a tooth has one of these problems:

• A cavity too big for a standard filling to hold the tooth together
• A cracked, fractured, or heavily worn-down tooth
• A tooth that just finished root canal treatment and needs protection from future cracks
• A tooth that's badly discolored or misshapen
• A tooth that supports a dental bridge, or the visible cap over an implant post

Pediatric dentists sometimes use crowns on baby teeth, too. This happens when decay is too bad for a filling, but the tooth still needs to hold its place until it falls out on its own.

Your CitiDental of Woodhaven dentist starts with an exam and X-rays. This confirms that the tooth's roots are healthy. If they're not, you'll need a root canal or other treatment first. Next, the dentist numbs the area and removes any decay. Then the dentist shaves down the outer layer of the tooth so a crown will fit over it. We take a digital scan or a physical impression and send it to the lab. A temporary crown protects your tooth in the meantime.

At your second visit — usually a couple of weeks later — we check the permanent crown for fit and color. We adjust it if needed, then cement it into place. Some ceramic materials can be milled in our office for a same-day crown. But a lab-made crown is still the norm for most cases.

There's no single "best" crown. The right material depends on which tooth is involved, your bite, and your budget:

• Composite resin. The most affordable option. But it wears and chips more easily over time than ceramic or metal.
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal or all-ceramic (porcelain crowns). A traditional choice that looks natural, with a long track record.
• Zirconia crowns. Very strong crowns, well suited to molars and to patients who grind their teeth.
• eMax crowns. Known for a see-through quality that closely matches natural enamel. Popular for front teeth.
• BruxZir crowns. A solid-zirconia product built for patients with heavy teeth grinding (bruxism).

You care for a crown just like your natural teeth. Brush twice a day, floss around it, and keep up with cleanings twice a year. This helps your dentist catch any issues at the gumline early. Try not to chew ice, bite your fingernails, or use your teeth to open packages, since these habits can chip or loosen a crown over time.

Do you grind or clench your teeth at night? Mention it at your visit. A night guard, or a tougher material like BruxZir, can help your crown last longer. As with any dental work, minor sensitivity or an allergic reaction to materials is possible, though uncommon. CitiDental of Woodhaven reviews your medical history first to help lower that risk.