At Richard Whipple, DDS, we are able to cap teeth that have lost their strength through severe damage with dental crowns. A dental crown covers the entire tooth surface bringing it back to its original function, size and shape. Crowns protect and strengthen a weakened tooth structure giving it a longer life.

Types of Crowns

Dr. Whipple will discuss three common types of crowns with you, all porcelain, porcelain that has been fused to metal, and gold. Patients generally prefer the tooth colored styles that you get with porcelain, and they like the strength that you get with metal. Dr. Whipple may add to that information that gold crowns are the most like your own natural teeth in feel. Due to the feel and tissue adaptation, gold crowns are often recommended for back teeth.

Crowns are used when:

  • Your natural tooth has cracked or fractured. This means that they have lost strength and are subject to further problems. Cracked teeth allow decay a passage into the inner portion of the tooth. This will lead to infection and the need for a root canal.
  • Teeth that are severely decayed, are weak teeth. When Dr. Whipple finds a tooth that is decayed beyond repair, he may stop the damage with the recommendation of a dental crown.
  • When a root canal has been performed, Dr. Whipple was able to heal the infection, but in most cases, the integrity of the tooth has been compromised. To add strength the natural tooth structure, he may recommend a dental crown.
  • Teeth that have weakened will break down with time and regular daily use, dental crowns can add years to the life of that tooth.

Am I able to eat and speak normally with a dental crown?

Yes! A dental crown should not impede your ability to speak at all, and you may find that you are able to eat foods that you had been avoiding with your new crown. Crowns encase your entire natural tooth structure, that allows it to be a shield for your tooth. Crowns are custom made to the exact size and shape of the original tooth. This precision allows the crown to be a perfect fit for your jaw alignment, we don’t want it to feel foreign in your mouth. Working with a dental lab, Dr. Whipple will send a mold of your tooth and bite allowing them to create a perfect fit. Dr. Whipple will take into consideration the color of your other teeth, he wants to help the crown blend into your mouth, giving you a perfect look.

An interesting thing about dental bridges and crowns is that they are remarkably similar in both form an function. Dental crowns are used to restore a single tooth, and dental bridges are typically used to restore up to three missing teeth.

If you have questions about dental crowns, and how it can help you, contact our Tigard, OR office: (503) 620-6133