PORCELAIN CROWNS

Your teeth undergo a tremendous amount of stress during your lifetime. Teeth may show this wear in a variety of ways, including discoloration, chipping and cracking. Crowns restore your teeth and your smile to formal brilliance. Porcelain crowns can be made out of porcelain fused-to-metal or all porcelain and can be shaded to match your existing teeth. Crowns made of precious metal (gold) are also an option. After some tooth preparation, crowns are specifically fitted to restore functionality and to enhance the appearance of your smile. If you have pain when chewing or if you are experiencing temperature sensitivity, ask Dr. Rutledge if crowns are for you.

Gold Crowns

Your teeth undergo a tremendous amount of wear and tear during your lifetime. Teeth may show this wear in a variety of ways, including discoloration, chipping and cracking. Crowns restore your teeth and your smile to their former brilliance. Porcelain crowns can be made out of porcelain fused-to-metal or all porcelain and can be shaded to match your other teeth. Crowns made of precious metal, like gold, are also an option. After some tooth preparation, crowns are specially fitted to restore the look and functionality of your smile. If you have pain when chewing or if you are experiencing temperature sensitivity, ask Dr. Rutledge if crowns are right for you.

Q: What is a crown, and why might I need one?

A: If your doctor has recommended a crown to you, it is likely either to correct a broken tooth or to repair a tooth that has deteriorated due to cavities (decay). The decay in your tooth eats away at healthy tooth structure much like rust eats away at metal. If not removed, decay will deteriorate the tooth to the point where extraction is the only viable treatment option. Sometimes, decay is removed leaving healthy tooth structure, but not much of it. A crown can then be placed, restoring the look and function of your tooth, while allowing you to keep your natural, underlying tooth structure. Most crowns are precision-milled porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), or full metal (gold or silver) and are individually customized for each application in each patient, giving you a natural, long-lasting smile.