A dental crown is a life preserver for a tooth. When a tooth has extensive damage, our goal is to save it. We do this by placing a tooth-shaped “CAP” to restore strength, shape, and function. A crown covers the entire visible surface of the tooth down to the gum line. Crowns are necessary when the tooth is so broken down that a dental filling is no longer possible.
Dr. Slepchik prefers to use a strong, aesthetic material called Emax to fabricate his crowns. Emax is fracture-resistant and can achieve an aesthetic, natural-looking result.
What Issues Can Dental Crowns Fix?
Dr. Slepchik places his porcelain (Emax) crowns to address the following problems:
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Extremely worn teeth
- Teeth that have large fillings and/or fractured fillings
- Misshapen teeth
- Discoloured teeth
- Teeth that have had root canals
- Teeth on either end of a bridge
Why Porcelain Crowns?
Our porcelain is called Emax (technical name lithium disilicate). It has the perfect combination of strength and appearance. Emax can provide the translucency and reflective properties of tooth enamel. Dr. Slepchik’s goal is for the crown (or crowns) to blend in naturally with your other teeth. When doing multiple teeth, we choose the shade and brightness to give you the most natural aesthetic smile possible. With proper care at home and regular teeth cleanings with your hygienist, your porcelain crown (or crowns) will last a very long time.
What Our Patients Say
"I highly recommend Dr. Slepchik and his team! I’ve been going there for several years now and my visits are always more pleasant than one would expect due to their very professional and very friendly approach"
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The Dental Crown Procedure
Placing a crown requires two appointments with Dr. Slepchik. Any tooth decay or damaged tooth material is removed at the first appointment. You are frozen before starting rather than using local anesthesia. The tooth's exterior is shaved down slightly on all sides and the top to create room for the crown.
This also creates an excellent bonding surface to cement the crown. We then take digital impressions of the tooth and the surrounding teeth with our Itero system. Our dental lab directly receives the images from the Itero system to create your crown. The lab also receives exact specifications on the colour, contour, and shape that Dr. Slepchik wants.
The communication between Dr. Slepchik and the lab is essential to achieve a high-quality result that both he and his patient expect from the final restoration. Dr. Slepchik's office will receive the newly fabricated crown in about two weeks. A temporary crown is bonded to your tooth to protect it until the permanent crown is ready. This first appointment takes 1 hour. We promise you will love your temporary crown. It can prepare you for what your final result will look and feel like.
When we receive your crown from the lab, you return here for your second appointment. We clean and disinfect your teeth and check the crown for the fit. Dr. Slepchik wants to ensure the colour matches the adjacent teeth, as he requested. Once you are happy, the permanent one is bonded to your tooth. No recovery is needed; you can eat normally when leaving our office. This appointment is 30 minutes.
Porcelain Crowns Before & After Photos
Do Dental Crowns Look Natural?
Once your tooth has been bonded, no one will be able to distinguish your new tooth from the other teeth. This is the main reason Dr. Slepchik uses Emax; it makes crowns and veneers with the same visual characteristics as natural tooth enamel. In addition, the dental lab re-creates the crown to match the appearance of the tooth it is replacing, along with all the specific information provided by Dr. Slepchik.
How Long Do Crowns Last?
Our experience has shown that porcelain crowns can last for 20 years or more. This is also based on the quality of your oral care at home (brushing and flossing regularly) as well as regular in-office teeth cleanings according to your specific needs. Teeth grinding can limit the lifespan of your crown, so you may need a nightguard to protect your teeth from the grinding if this is a problem for you.
Do I Have To Do Anything Special To Take Care Of My Dental Crown?
Your new crown requires no special treatment. Take care of it by brushing and flossing daily. It is important to see your hygienist according to your specific needs and Dr. Slepchik for your dental exams and cleanings.
Can I Expect Any Problems With Crowns?
On rare occasions, your crown may become loose or come off. This often is the result of grinding. If your crown becomes loose or falls off, you must come in to have it re-cemented.
Is The Dental Crown Treatment Painful?
Our patient is thoroughly frozen. We don't begin treating your tooth until we've verified that you are well frozen. The actual preparation phase is then painless.
What Is a Temporary Crown Vs. Permanent Crown?
Because the crown must perfectly fit your tooth, it must be prepared before Dr. Slepchik orders the porcelain dental crown. The lab can take up to two weeks to prepare the permanent crown. For these reasons, you will have a temporary crown placed on the prepared tooth to protect it for that time.
What Is the Difference Between a Dental Crown and a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth placed into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth (or missing teeth). Alternatively, the goal of a crown is to try to preserve as much of the existing tooth as possible so it fits over that natural tooth. If you have missing teeth adjacent to teeth that can receive crowns, those crowns can anchor a dental bridge, reducing the need for dental implants.
What Can I Expect with My Final Restoration?
Dr. Slepchik ensures your crowns look indistinguishable from a natural tooth so they blend into the landscape of your mouth. You can eat and drink normally and do not need to provide crowns with special care beyond good oral hygiene.
Schedule A Consultation For Dental Crowns In Montreal
If you think you may be a candidate for dental crowns, contact our downtown Montreal office. Call us at 514-875-7971 or email us at reception@smilesbydrslepchik.com to schedule a consultation with Dr. Slepchik. We are located in downtown Montreal, next to the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel across from Place Ville Marie.