Dental crown installation is one of the restorative solutions in dentistry used to protect, strengthen, or improve the appearance of damaged or weakened teeth. The procedure is carried out in stages and requires careful planning according to each patient’s condition.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a natural tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns can be made from various materials, such as metal, ceramic, resin, or combinations such as porcelain-fused-to-metal.
Indications for Dental Crown Installation
Dental crowns are recommended in the following cases:
- Fragile teeth due to extensive caries or after root canal treatment
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Teeth with permanent shape or color changes
- As part of a dentalbridgeor implant placement
- Protection of children’s teeth under certain conditions
Steps of Dental Crown Installation
- Initial Examination and Diagnosis
The dentist performs a clinical and radiographic examination to assess the condition of the tooth and periapical tissues. - Tooth Preparation
The tooth to be crowned is trimmed to fit the artificial crown. If the remaining tooth structure is insufficient, acore build-upor additional retention may be required. - Impression and Shade Selection
The dentist makes an impression of the tooth and selects the crown color that matches the surrounding teeth. - Temporary Crown Placement
A temporary crown is placed while the permanent crown is being made in the laboratory. - Permanent Crown Placement
Once completed, the permanent crown is tried, adjusted, and cemented using special dental cement.
Special Case: Crown with Endodontic Implant
In some cases, such as anterior teeth with extreme conditions like pulp necrosis and open apex, crown installation requires additional strategies. An endodontic implant is used as an additional support to increase the retention of a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, especially for the maxillary right central incisor with pulp necrosis and open apex. This was explained in a study at the Faculty of Dentistry UGM by Diatri Nari Ratih, under the supervision of drg. Sri Daradjati Soedarmadi, SU., SpKG(K).
This approach is important when the root structure is insufficient to support conventional restorations. With the placement of an endodontic implant, the artificial crown can adhere more firmly and function more stably in the long term.
Post-Crown Care
After installation, patients need to maintain good oral hygiene and avoid bad habits such as teeth grinding. Regular check-ups are necessary to ensure the crown remains in good condition.
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Dental crowns not only improve aesthetics but also play an important role in maintaining tooth function and strength. In complex cases such as pulp necrosis with an open apex, the use of endodontic implants as additional retention provides an effective solution and prolongs the lifespan of the restoration.. With proper procedure and care, dental crowns can be a long-term investment in your oral health and comfort.
References
Ratih, Diatri Nari, drg. Sri Daradjati Soedarmadi, SU.,SpKG(K), Endodontic Implant as Retention for Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Jacket Crown on Maxillary Right Central Incisor with Pulp Necrosis and Open Apex, https://etd.repository.ugm.ac.id/penelitian/detail/35387
Author: Rizky B. Hendrawan | Photo: Freepik
