DENTAL CROWN
What Is A Dental Crown?
A Dental Crown is used to rebuild a broken or decayed tooth, usually in order to make it stronger and last longer. Dental crowns can also be used to improve the appearance of a tooth. Dental crowns are sometimes called ‘caps’, because they entirely cap or cover the tooth’s enamel.
What Is Important To Know About Dental Crowns?
- There are four different types of material used for dental crowns: porcelain (tooth-coloured); gold or precious metal alloy (gold or silver in colour); porcelain bonded to metal (a tooth-coloured front, with metal behind or underneath); and resin (tooth-coloured). Each material has advantages and disadvantages;
- Crowns generally cover the entire tooth: occasionally a partial crown is used;&
- Dental crowns make broken teeth stronger and more functional. They are often used to protect weakened teeth from further damage. Teeth that have received root canal treatment often need a crown to remain functional
More Information About Dental Crowns
How a crown is made:
- Generally a tooth is anaesthetised (numbed) before it is prepared to receive a crown;
- Decay and weakened or cracked tooth structure is removed from the tooth: this often leaves a large cavity which must be filled to create a ‘core’ (which is like a stump on which the crown will be cemented);
- The dentist prepares the tooth (and fillings if present) by shaving it down on all sides by 1-2 mm. This creates a space for the crown: the tooth now looks like a stump;
- The dentist uses an impression paste to make an accurate mould of the shaved tooth stump. This impression is sent to the dental technician who then builds the crown according to the dentist’s prescription;
- In the meantime a temporary resin crown is made and fitted to the tooth stump with soft cement. The patient leaves this first appointment wearing the temporary crown, which protects the stump of the tooth;
- At the next appointment, two weeks later, the tooth is generally numbed once again. The temporary crown is removed and the tooth stump is washed and dried;
- The crown is checked for accuracy of fit: assuming this is satisfactory, it is then cemented or bonded in place;&
- Excess cement is removed, the bite is checked and the patent leaves the appointment with their new crown.
Care of crowns:
- Dental crowns must be kept very clean, just like natural teeth;
- Crowns can be brushed and flossed in the same way as natural teeth;
- Although the crown itself is impervious to decay, plaque can accumulate around the edges of the crown (where it meets the neck of the tooth) and can cause decay of the tooth in this area;
- Decay can move under a crown, and remain invisible and unsuspected until the cavity is large enough to cause symptoms of pain or loosening of the crown;&
- Dental x-rays are a critical tool in monitoring crowned teeth for signs of decay.
Cerec One-Visit Crowns
CEREC, short for Ceramic Reconstruction, is a process for creating a high- quality porcelain restoration using 3D technology to create a colour-matched and highly durable customised ceramic crown. Rather than multiple visits to the dentist, CEREC crowns can be applied in a single appointment with a duration of approximately one and a half hours.
Why choose a Cerec crown?
- Fast, single appointment procedure;
- No need for temporary crowns to be fitted;
- Given the precision nature of Cerec, this allows for a perfect-fit with little obstruction to your existing enamel;&
- As your dental practitioner will be designing the crown for you, this means we are able to perfectly match the colour to your existing teeth.
Dental Crowns DAD’S CLINIC
If a crown has been recommended for you, it is generally because a tooth has weakened to the point where, without the protection of a crown, it is likely to fracture or break, possibly beyond repair. A severely fractured tooth cannot be repaired and must be removed. The placement of a crown is often done as a means of preventing the loss of a tooth. Our dentists work closely with carefully selected dental technicians to create strong, beautiful and functional crowns for our patients.
