Dental Crowns in West Milford

Agnieszka Jamrozek, DMD, provides dental crowns in West Milford, NJ. Call 973-728-3779 to learn more and schedule your appointment.

Dental crowns are used for many purposes in dentistry, but the most common reason for placing a crown is when a tooth has more decay or damage than can be repaired with a filling. A crown can restore function and strength to the affected tooth, and with esthetic materials like ceramic, it can also restore the appearance of your smile.

Getting a dental crown usually requires two visits to our office. During the first appointment, we take impressions of your teeth and bite, which allows Dr. Jamrozek to create a crown that is the same shape and size as your natural tooth. Your tooth is prepared for your crown by removing decayed and damaged areas, then a second set of impressions will be taken to ensure that your restoration will fit securely. We will provide you with a temporary restoration to protect your prepared tooth while your permanent crown is being fabricated by a dental laboratory.

You’ll return to our office so Dr. Jamrozek can ensure that your crown fits and bond it to your tooth. With good oral hygiene habits and regular preventive care, your crown has the potential to last for decades to come.

Dental crowns come in four basic types, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. We will help you choose the most appropriate crown for your dental needs, personal preferences, and budget. Options include:

For a natural appearance, ceramic crowns are your best bet. These crowns are made with a material that blends in with the rest of your teeth. Because of their natural appearance, ceramic crowns are recommended for teeth that show when you smile, but they can be utilized anywhere in the mouth.

Porcelain fused to metal crowns are a hybrid solution that uses a metal frame that is coated in dental porcelain. These restorations are typically used for molars because they are durable enough to withstand biting and chewing forces. Because the metal structure can cause a visible dark line to appear along the gums, these crowns are not recommended for front teeth.

Gold alloys are one of the strongest dental crown materials available, so they are frequently used in crowns for individuals who have a history of teeth grinding. Although gold alloy crowns are typically used for molars because they don’t look natural like ceramic, they can be used on any tooth that requires a crown.

Base metal alloys, like gold alloys, are durable and often used for teeth that don’t have enough healthy tooth structure to support a ceramic crown. These crowns are corrosion-resistant and long-lasting, although they’re typically used on molars because they’re less discreet than ceramic or porcelain crowns.

The location of the tooth, the material chosen for the crown, and your oral habits all play a role in how long your dental crown will last. The average crown lasts five to 15 years, but with proper care and maintenance, many last decades longer.

When your tooth is being prepared for a crown, we use local anesthesia to numb the area so you don’t feel any pain, although you may experience some mild tenderness and sensitivity once you leave our office and the anesthetic wears off.

The term crown and cap refer to the same type of dental restoration. Because they cover over your natural tooth, dental crowns are sometimes called caps.

If a significant amount of tooth structure needs to be removed, a post may be required for your crown.

Yes, Dr. Jamrozek specializes in creating high-quality ceramic crowns that blend in naturally with the rest of your smile. You can see examples of her dental crowns on our smile gallery page.

Call 973-728-3779 to schedule your appointment.