Services

Crowns

When a tooth needs restoration, a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown can be the best choice.

Sometimes called a PFM crown, it's made of tooth-colored porcelain baked onto a metal core.

A porcelain-fused-to-metal crown has several advantages:

• The inner metal core helps it withstand heavy biting forces, especially on back teeth.
• The outer porcelain layer is natural-looking.
• It's durable and long-lasting.

Preparing for a PFM crown

Because it's precision-crafted at the lab, it may take two or more appointments to restore your tooth with a PFM crown.

On your first visit, we'll choose a color that matches your natural teeth. We may also use a rubber dam to protect your mouth while we work. And we won't start until we're sure you're comfortable.

First, we remove any decay and shape the tooth with the handpiece.

Next, we place a small impression string between the tooth and gum to gently push the gum away. This step helps us get an accurate impression.

When the area is ready, we'll remove the string, and then take an impression of your teeth.

The lab uses this to create a crown that precisely fits your tooth and bite.

In the meantime, we often place a temporary crown.

Placing a PFM crown

On your next visit, we remove the temporary and try in your new PFM crown.

We'll make sure you love the way it looks and feels, and then we cement the crown into place.

When you need a crown, a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown is a natural-looking choice for a strong, healthy bite.