Crowns

A crown is one of the most effective treatments to protect and restore a damaged or decayed tooth. Heejoo Pyon, DDS, at HP Dental in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York, offers high-quality crowns. With state-of-the-art digital technology, Dr. Pyon and her staff can create attractive, durable crowns without the discomfort of traditional impressions. Call the clinic today or book an appointment online to learn more.

What are crowns?

Dental crowns are custom-made caps that cover the visible surface of a damaged, decayed, or misshapen tooth. Made of porcelain, ceramic, metal, or gold materials, crowns restore teeth to their natural shape, size, and color while protecting against further damage. Crowns blend in with the appearance of your teeth and can improve your ability to chew and speak.

Why might I need crowns?

A crown primarily restores a tooth’s function and appearance. Your dentist at HP Dental may recommend crowns to:

• Protect a weak tooth from cracking
• Restore the shape and size of a cracked tooth
• Hold a dental bridge in place
• Connect to a dental implant
• Support a tooth with a large filling

While crowns are primarily restorative, they can enhance the aesthetic appearance of your teeth. You may consider crowns if you have discolored or misshapen teeth. 

What does getting crowns involve?

Fitting your teeth for crowns usually takes two visits. At your initial consultation, your HP Dental provider examines your teeth and uses digital X-rays to determine whether you’re an appropriate candidate for crowns.

Next, your dentist prepares your teeth for crowns. They must reshape and reduce the size of your teeth to accommodate the new restorations. After preparing your teeth, your dentist takes digital impressions with an intraoral scanner to create your crowns. These restorations take two to three weeks to fabricate, so you must wear temporary crowns in the meantime.

At your final visit, your dentist replaces the temporary replacements with your permanent crowns. They can adjust the crowns to ensure the proper fit before cementing them. 

How should I care for crowns?

Your teeth may feel numb for several hours after getting dental crowns, so it’s important to avoid eating or drinking anything that might dislodge your restorations. HP Dental provides detailed aftercare instructions to protect your crowns once you return home.

Once the initial numbness wears off, you can resume your regular diet. However, make sure to avoid sticky or hard foods that can damage your crowns. With proper care, crowns can last for 15 years or more*.

Call HP Dental today or book an appointment online to find out if crowns are right for you.

*Individual results may vary