Crowns Q&A

Dentists located in St. George and Great Kills, Staten Island, NY

Crowns Q&A

Crowns protect and restore the shape, color, and size of decayed or damaged teeth. With two locations St. George and Great Kills areas of Staten Island, New York, Anthony Cirillo, DDS, and Vincent Circosta, DDS, offer many crown materials to choose from to repair damaged teeth and restore your tooth function. Call Bay Dental today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about crowns.

What are crowns?

A crown is a cap that restores the shape, size, and function of a damaged or decayed tooth. This tooth-shaped restoration fits snuggly over the visible portion of your tooth, also called the crown, to blend in seamlessly with your smile. Crowns restore your chewing and speaking abilities if you have extensive tooth damage.

What dental concerns can crowns treat?

Dental crowns can restore your teeth if you have:

Cracks, chips, or fractures
Misshapen teeth
Worn teeth
Gapped teeth
Tooth discoloration

A crown may also attach to a dental bridge or implant to replace a missing tooth. The Bay Dental team often recommends crowns to protect teeth treated with root canal therapy.

What can I expect from the crown process?

The Bay Dental team can plan your treatment and place your crowns in just two visits. With an in-office intraoral scanner and digital X-rays, you don’t have to worry about messy impressions or uncomfortable scans.

During your first visit, the team takes X-rays and reshapes your tooth to prepare for the crown. Filing and reducing the tooth’s size ensures that the crown blends in with the rest of your teeth. After preparing the tooth, the team takes digital impressions to create your mold.

The team sends your impressions to a lab, which fabricates your crown. The process takes about two to three weeks. In the meantime, you’ll wear a temporary crown to protect your tooth.

At your second visit, the team places your crown. They may make minor adjustments before cementing the crown in place, restoring your tooth function.

How long do crowns last?

While well-maintained crowns can last up to 15 to 20 years, your diet and lifestyle habits can greatly influence their lifespan. The crown material you choose also determines its durability. Bay Dental offers porcelain, silver, and gold crowns. The team can recommend the appropriate material for your crown during your initial consultation.

To protect your crowns against damage and decay, the team recommends:

Avoiding chewy, sticky candies or overly hard foods
Not biting your fingernails, pens, or other tough objects
Brushing and flossing at least twice a day
Wearing a night guard if you have bruxism (teeth grinding)
Scheduling routine dental cleaning visits
Contacting Bay Dental right away if your crown cracks or loosens

Call Bay Dental today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about dental crowns.