Dental Crowns

Variety of options for dental crowns to rebuild healthy and beautiful teeth

At Advance Dental Arts Center in West Linn, we are proud to advance the oral health and smile aesthetics of individuals and families throughout Lake Oswego, Oregon City, Gladstone, Milwaukee, Wilsonville, Portland, and northwestern Oregon. Led by Dr. Kimberly Wright, our team first supports oral and overall health and well-being with fundamental preventative care. Routine visits to our office both prevent the leading causes of tooth loss, decay and gum disease and promote the early detection of diseases. Depending on what we find during your exam, a dental crown may be appropriate to restore a damaged tooth.

Crowns explained

The anatomy of each natural tooth includes a crown and the pulp tissue and roots that extend into the jaw and nourish the tooth while it matures. The crown is the visible part or structure of the tooth. When it is damaged due to dental decay, periodontal (gum) disease, or other forms of trauma, the crown may be rebuilt to restore its structure, function, and appearance.

The patients of Dr. Wright are not limited in their options for crown treatment. The crown may be rebuilt with ceramics (such as porcelain), quality metals (like gold), or with a combination of both types of materials (PFM or porcelain-fused-to-metals). Dr. Wright will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option in relation to your needs and circumstances.

For instance, porcelain offers unparalleled aesthetics; however, it may not be an appropriate option for patients with damaged back teeth. In this case, utmost strength is required to support back teeth that bear the brunt of the forces from grinding down food. Gold crowns provide optimal strength to premolars and molars and are most appropriate for those teeth that are not visible when you smile.

Ceramic crowns are also well-suited for patients with cosmetic imperfections, such as a tooth that is poorly shaped or very discolored and is not responsive or suited to professional teeth whitening treatments.

What to expect

The process of getting a crown is straightforward. Depending on the extent of the present decay or trauma, the procedure may follow root canal therapy. Dr. Wright assures that the tooth to be treated is precisely numbed, so you don’t feel anything! Then, decayed or diseased tissue is removed. The tooth is also shaped to “accept” the crown. An impression or model of the tooth is taken after being prepared. Our skilled lab ceramists use this model to make your permanent crown. Once the crown is ready, slight adjustments may be made before cementing it to the tooth during a second appointment. While waiting for the crown to be made, a temporary is worn to protect the prepared site and prevent reinfection.

Crowns are also used to rebuild an entire tooth – as part of a dental bridge or connected to a dental implant (“artificial tooth root”) positioned in the jawbone.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Schedule your appointment at Advance Dental Arts Center today by calling (503) 655-9300 . These regular visits help prevent the need for restorative treatments, including crowns.