What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is used to restore the strength, functionality and appearance of a tooth that has been damaged, broken or cracked. It may also protect a site where root canal work has been carried out. A crown – sometimes known as a ‘cap’ –fits over your existing tooth, which has to be specially prepared for the crown.
Why is a crown used to restore a tooth?
Crowns are used for a number of reasons – to improve the appearance of a tooth, hold a denture or bridge in place, cap an implant or protect a tooth where root canal work has been carried out. We may recommend a crown if we feel a filling would not be suitable and that your tooth would benefit from the added strength a crown would provide. Crowns are a very effective way of restoring the appearance of your teeth and giving you back your beautiful smile.
How is a dental crown prepared?
Before a crown can be fitted, it is necessary to cut down and shape your existing tooth by removing most of its outer surface. Once this has been done, we make impressions or moulds of your tooth and the surrounding area so that a crown can be made. At Viva Dental, our meticulous approach ensures that the end result is as natural-looking and comfortable as possible. We pass the impression, shade of your tooth and other information to a dedicated dental lab where a bespoke crown will be crafted for you. We only use the best dental labs to make sure that the end result is of the highest standard.
Will it hurt?
No. We use anaesthetic throughout the preparation stage when your tooth is being cut down and shaped. This should feel exactly the same as when you’re having a filling.
How long does this treatment take?
You will need to attend at least two appointments at Viva Dental. During your first visit, we will prepare your tooth, take an impression, choose a shade and fit a temporary crown. The second appointment usually takes place about two weeks later. During this appointment, we will check that you are happy with the fit and appearance of your bespoke crown before using a special dental cement to fix it in place.
How long will my crown last?
As long as they are properly cared for, crowns can last for many years. As a dental restoration, your crown itself will not decay but tooth decay can occur where the edges of the crown meet your natural tooth. Your crown may also wear down if you are someone who grinds or clenches their teeth a lot. It is important to keep your crown clean with regular brushing. You should also attend regular appointments with the dentist and hygienist to make sure that your mouth stays in the best possible health.
What is a crown made of?
One of the benefits of having a crown fitted is that it can restore the appearance of your tooth. For this reason, most of the crowns fitted at Viva Dental are made from a tooth coloured high strength dental porcelain material. It is possible to colour match this material to your surrounding teeth to create a gorgeous and completely natural look.
Where appropriate, we will also make crowns from gold and other precious metal alloys. Gold crowns require less tooth preparation and are long lasting. |
