Dental crowns (also referred to as a ‘dental caps’) are made to look like natural teeth and are fitted over existing teeth to strengthen them and improve their natural appearance. Crowns are usually fitted:
– to repair broken teeth
– to improve the appearance of teeth that have large fillings or decay that have discoloured or weakened them
– as part of bridge work, to secure a bridge more firmly
– to add to a partial denture, to make it more secure and limit damage to remaining natural teeth.
The aim of fitting a crown is to give you a smile you can be proud of and to ensure that your teeth are strong enough to enable you to eat all of the food you enjoy without worrying about causing damage.
Dental crowns may be made of metal-bonded porcelain, ceramic, or gold. We will discuss which option is best for you, bearing in mind that non-metal options will usually create a better cosmetic finish. If you think that you may need this treatment, please get in touch with us and we will be happy to talk to you about the different options available.
What does a crown look like?
Your crown or cap will be made especially for you and will be designed to fit naturally and be the same colour as your other teeth.
Fitting a crown
The outer layer of your tooth will be shaped, preparing it for your new crown which will sit flush alongside your natural teeth. This is perfectly safe, and our dentists always take care to be as gentle as possible, ensuring that your local anaesthetic has completely numbed the area before starting work.
A mould will be taken of your tooth at this point, and this is sent to a specialised dental laboratory where highly skilled technicians use the impression of your teeth to create your crown.
Whilst you are waiting for your crown to be made you will be fitted with a temporary crown, so you will be able to eat and drink as normal whilst you wait for your permanent repair.
Post crowns
If the tooth to be fitted with a crown has already been root-filled, it may not be strong enough to support a crown on its own. Therefore a post will need to be placed into your tooth to help support the new crown. The dental crown is then fixed to the post.
All dental crowns are fitted using a specialist adhesive or dental cement which will hold it in place for many years. Our crowns are guaranteed for 5 years, but with good quality care and dental hygiene, they may last much longer.
The procedure for preparing a tooth for a crown does not hurt as local anaesthetic will completely numb the area (if you have had a root filling before, you will feel no pain as your tooth will have no nerve, and so you may not even need local anaesthetic).
Aftercare
You can clean your crown just as you would your natural teeth – whilst the crown itself will not decay, it is possible for the tooth beneath it to do so, so it is important to continue good dental hygiene.
If you need a crown or cap fitting, perhaps because of discoloured or missing teeth, please use our contact form to get in touch. We’ll be happy to discuss your treatment options and ease any concerns you may have. Our dentists are highly experienced and effective and will take great care to ensure that you receive the most appropriate care for your needs.