Dental crowns
A full dental crown or cap covers the entire tooth and will restore a broken, heavily filled or cracked tooth to its original size, shape and tooth color. The materials that are used to create dental crowns are substantially stronger than fillings and therefore less likely to break.
Benefits of dental crowns
- Replaces missing teeth
- Offers support to misshapen teeth or badly broken teeth
- For a tooth may have been weakened by having a very large filling
- Protects a root canal treated tooth
Depending on aesthetic demands, strength requirements, material durability, and restorative space available, your dentist will recommend the type of dental crown to be used.
Different types of crowns
Porcelain fused to metal: This is what the majority of crowns are made from. A precious metal base is made and porcelain is then applied in layers over it. Provides a strong, durable, and aesthetic treatment option.
Zirconium crowns: The material zirconium oxide is a ceramic that has special mechanical capacity according to other ceramics. Crowns made of zirconium oxide can hardly be distinguished from natural teeth. and there is no grey line visibility compared to a conventional metal-based ceramic crown
Emax crowns are made from lithium desilicated ceramic, a material that has been harvested for its translucent color and durability. As a result, you get a crown that is tough and durable, but looks exactly like your other teeth.
How is a tooth prepared for a crown?
Fitting a crown requires at least two or three visits to our practice. Initially, we will remove decay, shape the tooth and will make a molded impression of the prepared tooth to send to the dental laboratory. A temporary crown will be placed to protect the filed tooth
Does it hurt to have a tooth prepared for a crown? No. A local anesthetic is used and the preparation should feel no different to that of a filling. If the tooth does not have a nerve and a post crown is being prepared, then local anesthetic may not be needed.
How to take care of your crowns?
Dental crowns require the same level of care and attention as your natural teeth.
- Brush your teeth after each meal and before bedtime, especially at the gum line.
- Floss at least once or twice a day.
- Rinse with fluoride rinse before bedtime.
- Visit your dentist for annual check-up
The life of a crown will depend on how well it is looked after. The crown itself cannot decay, but decay can start where the edge of the crown joins the tooth. It is very important to keep this area as clean as your other teeth, or decay may occur which could endanger the crown.
Crowns (or bridges) can also be placed onto implant abutments as a restoration.
