A dental crown fits over a weakened or fractured tooth to restore its strength and recreate the natural shape.
A dental crown is the perfect way of rebuilding teeth that have been weakened or fractured by tooth decay or large fillings. It fits over the original tooth to add strength and recreate the shape of the natural tooth. A crown is sometimes referred to as a cap.
Reasons to have a crown fitted can include: teeth that have been weakened by a large filling; to improve the aesthetics of a tooth; to protect a root filling; if teeth are damaged due to an accident; or to secure a denture or bridge in place.
Crowns can be constructed from a number of materials. Porcelain fixed to a precious metal is the most common and consists of base metal with porcelain applied over it. Porcelain or ceramic has a natural look but is not as strong as some other materials. Porcelain fixed to zirconia has great aesthetic benefits due to the lack of metal and is very strong. Metal is used primarily at the rear of the mouth due to its colour — it requires less drilling and is very durable.
The tooth is prepared to suit the shape of the crown, which requires the removal of the exterior surface to leave the sturdy inner core. The amount removed will match up to the thickness of the crown. An impression of the tooth is then taken by the dentist and passed to a technician to create the crown.
Crowns are constructed to match the exact shade of the natural teeth in order to create a natural look. A temporary crown will be fitted until the final restoration is fabricated and applied. The temporary restoration will be more noticeable than the permanent one, but need only be worn for approximately two weeks.
Two appointments are required. At the first, the tooth is prepared, an impression and shade record are taken, and a temporary crown is fitted. At the second appointment the permanent crown is applied.
There will be no pain during treatment as a local anaesthetic is issued. Preparing the tooth will feel much the same as having a filling. Local anaesthetic will not be needed if a post crown is fitted and there is no nerve.
When a tooth is root-filled a post crown may be used. The weakened crown is drilled off at the gum line, after which a double-ended post is fabricated by the dentist and fitted in the root canal. The post may be made from stainless steel or custom-designed gold — one end is fixed to the root canal and the other holds the crown in position.
A crown's life expectancy depends on how it is maintained. The prosthesis itself will not decay but decay can occur where the tooth and the edge of the crown meet. This area must be kept clean to avoid the risk of decay. If cared for correctly the tooth can last for many years.
It will have a slightly different shape to your natural tooth, which will be noticeable when initially fitted but should feel normal after a few days. If the crown feels higher than your other teeth it may need to be adjusted — make an appointment with your dentist if this happens.
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