Crowns
What is a dental crown?
Crowns, which are also referred to as ‘caps’, are the best way to repair teeth that have been chipped off, decomposed or have an overly large filling.
By placing a crown on a damaged tooth it provides the tooth with its natural shape and form whilst getting rid of any noticeable flaws.
What is the lifespan of a crown?
The lifeline of a crown depends on how well the crown is looked after. Similar to a natural tooth, the crown will require the same time and attention spent to maintain its hygiene.
It’s important you attend regular checkups and maintain a healthy diet to prevent the tooth from being damaged. Also it is vital to avoid bad habits that may cause drastic damage to the crown, such as biting of the finger nails, grinding of the teeth and the use of the teeth as a tool, e.g. to open bottles and lids.
The average lifespan of a crown is between 10-15 years, but it is really determined to how well it is looked after.
What are crowns made from?
There are a number of materials used in a crown and with the increase change in technology there are also different types of crown available.
Porcelain fused with precious metal: The vast majority of crowns are manufactured from porcelain that is fused with metal. The precious metal is the foundation of the crown and porcelain layers are then placed on above of it.
Porcelain & composite: crowns made of materials containing porcelain & composite resin can at times appear like the real thing. But in comparison with bonded metal crowns, these crowns are not as strong.
Glass: crowns made of glass seem extremely natural and are fixed on both anterior and posterior teeth.
Precious metal (palladium and gold): such crowns are extremely tough and durable, but are generally fixed towards the back of your mouth, where they normally are undetectable.
When is a crown needed?
- When the tooth has become weakened due to an extremely big filling
- To enhance the tooth’s appearance as the fillings have become stained.
- When a root canal treatment has been carried out and requires a crown to shield it
- When an accident has lead the tooth to become damaged
- After having a dental implant to replace a missing tooth.
- When a person grinds their teeth to the extent where to the tooth has been worn down drastically.
- For cosmetic purposes, to help improve a smile.
- For a fractured tooth where a typical composite bonding cannot help rebuild the tooth.
Should a crown be my first option?
Getting a crown fitted shouldn’t be a person’s first choice as it consists of filing the tooth a considerable amount. It is worth talking to your dentist and see if they’d recommend another alternative such as veneers or bonding.
A crown becomes relevant once the enamel and the strength of the teeth become vulnerable.
What is involved in getting a crown fitted?
- A first appointment will be required to discuss options of treatment and with the dentist you agree to a choice of treatment that is most suitable to your teeth’s condition.
- The next stage of the crown treatment process is giving your teeth a deep clean, making sure there are is no decay or built up plaque.
- The tooth is then reshaped so that the crown fits on the tooth like a glove.
- Once the tooth has been reshaped to fit the crown, dental putty is used to get an impression of the tooth to allow the dental technicians to create a crown that will fit your tooth perfectly.
The dental putty is presented on a tray that will be placed in your mouth; you will be asked to bite on it so that your teeth are imprinted perfectly on the putty to gain accurate results.
- Now that an impression has been taken, it will then be sent to the technicians where they will create the crown. The process takes around 2 weeks to complete.
While you wait for the making of the crown, the dentist will fit a temporary crown to protect the tooth.
- On your second visit, the crown will be ready to be securely placed on to the tooth, but before this, the temporary crown is removed. Your original tooth is slightly scratched to make the outer surface rough to allow the dental cement to hold properly.
- Finally, before the dentist cements the crown to your tooth, they will place it over the tooth to make sure it’s the ideal colour and shape, once you are both satisfied, they will then cement it securely.
Will the crown stand out?
Definitely not. The crown is designed to blend in and match the natural teeth. From the shape to the colour, it is fabricated to correspond to the neighbouring teeth.
You will be given a temporary crown on the first stage of getting a crown treatment; this is commonly made out of plastic. This is worn until the official crown is complete by the dental technicians. This may stand out and be obvious; however they are only worn for a couple a weeks.
Will it hurt to get a tooth prepared for a crown?
There is no pain involved, as Local anaesthesia is given. It is very similar to getting a filling done; therefore you should only feel vibration and hear the tools, without any actual pain to the tooth.
If a tooth has had its nerve removed already then Local anaesthesia is not necessary as the tooth is likely to be fitted with a post crown.