Crowns
A crown is a strong, long-lasting way of restoring teeth. It is often the best way to rebuild a tooth which has broken or been weakened by decay or a large filling. It may also be the best solution for improving the appearance of a heavily filled tooth.
Crowns may also be known as "caps". The crown fits over the remaining parts of the tooth, strengthening it and giving it the shape and contour of a natural tooth.
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Anterior Crown |
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Posterior Crown |
I wanted you to know how pleased I am with my new teeth! Of course I am cross with myself that I didn't come to you sooner.
Why might my dentist advise a crown?
There are a number of reasons your dentist might advise that you have a crown, or crowns, on your teeth:
- the tooth may have been weakened by having a very large filling
- you may have discoloured fillings and would like to improve the appearance of the teeth
- you may have had a root filling which will need a crown to protect it
- you may have had an accident and damaged the tooth
- your tooth may have been fractured
- you may want to improve the appearance of your smile
How long will a crown last?
This will depend very much on how strong the remaining tooth is, how heavy your bite is, and how well it is looked after with a good daily oral health regime and a healthy diet which limits the amount of sugary foods and drinks. If all these factors are favourable a crown can and will last for many years.
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What are crowns made of?
There are a variety of types of crown, for example, porcelain, gold, porcelain bonded to precious metal, and ceramic. If a tooth is root filled, it may need to have a metal or carbon fibre post fitted first to support or retain the crown. The appropriate type of crown for your individual needs will depend on the need for strength and aesthetics. Your dentist will explain the differences and advise which is best for your circumstances. Cost will be taken into account.
What is the procedure?
For preparation and fitting of a conventional crown you will need 2 appointments. At your first one, your dentist will trim and adjust the remaining tooth to the required shape for the crown to go over it. If the tooth is very broken down this may also involve building up some of the tooth core with a strong filling material. An impression is then taken and sent to the technician who will make the crown. The colour will be carefully chosen to match your other teeth. A temporary crown will be made and cemented on to the tooth core, to last until your next appointment.
At your second appointment, the temporary crown will be removed, the permanent crown inserted and carefully assessed for fit, appearance and correct bite. Any necessary adjustments will be made and, when perfect, the crown will be permanently cemented to the tooth core.
