Crowns & Overlays

When a tooth is weakened or too damaged for a simple filling, a crown offers full-coverage support to restore strength, function, and beauty. Dr Kramer uses advanced 3D imaging technology to design your crown with precision—no messy impressions required. The result is a comfortable, seamless fit that helps preserve your natural tooth structure and promotes long-term oral wellness.

What to Expect

FIRST APPOINTMENT

At your first crown appointment, we’ll start by making sure the tooth is fully comfortable with local anesthesia. Dr. Kramer will then carefully prepare the tooth—just enough (about 1.5–2mm) to create the space needed for your new porcelain crown.

Next, we’ll take a 3D scan or impression of your tooth. This serves as the blueprint for our expert lab ceramist to design a crown that blends seamlessly with your natural tooth in both look and feel.

Before you leave, a temporary crown will be created and cemented temporarily in place. For the next couple of weeks, it’s best to avoid sticky foods on that side to keep the temporary crown stable. If it does come loose, try to gently place it back on and contact our office if you need help. Temporary crowns protect your tooth from sensitivity and ensure the gums stay healthy while your permanent crown is being made.

SECOND APPOINTMENT

At your second visit, we’ll gently remove your temporary crown and try in your final porcelain crown to make sure it looks and feels just right. Sometimes minor adjustments are needed. A quick dental X-ray helps us confirm the perfect fit. Once everything is approved, your crown will be carefully bonded or cemented into place with a strong dental cement, and any excess will be cleaned away. Before you leave, we’ll share everything you need to know to keep your new crown comfortable, strong, and beautiful for years to come.

FAQs

  • Thanks to modern advances, porcelain crowns are now both strong and beautiful—making them the preferred way to restore teeth that have been damaged. Teeth that have gone through a root canal, decay, grinding, or a fracture are more likely to break under everyday stress. A custom porcelain crown protects your tooth with full coverage, restoring its strength and natural appearance

  • A crown overlay is a conservative restoration that protects and strengthens a damaged tooth while preserving as much natural structure as possible. It’s a beautiful, durable solution when a full crown isn’t needed.

  • Crowns or overlays are full-coverage restorations that are used to cover a tooth that is likely to break or is too damaged to be corrected with a traditional filling. When you receive a crown or overlay, you will notice it effectively improves your tooth condition by:
    -Helping strengthen a heavily-restored tooth to prevent future fracture
    -Restoring loss of tooth structure from heavy grinding
    -Improving tooth aesthetics
    -Relieving pain from any damage or fractures