Restore your smile with dental crowns
We only get one set of adult teeth so it’s vital that we try to preserve each tooth we have and to ensure that we keep our natural teeth for as long as possible. If you do start to lose your natural teeth, it can affect the shape of your face, the quality of your speech, and your ability to chew, eat and swallow food. Losing teeth will also create gaps that harbor bacteria, thus increasing the likelihood of tooth decay in the future.
At Tower Dental, we believe extracting teeth should really be the last resort. No matter what condition your tooth is in, our dentists will explore every opportunity to restore it rather than remove it. Of course, in some cases extraction is the only option left – some teeth are beyond redemption! However, as high quality dental work becomes more sophisticated and more accessible, more and more dentists are able to offer their patients a better range of treatments.
What is a crown?
A crown is an artificial restoration that fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth. A crown is sometimes known as a 'cap'.
Crowns have been used by dentists to repair teeth for a long time. However, modern dentists now have the added benefit of being able to work with far more advanced materials.
Why would I need a crown?
Crowns are an ideal way to repair teeth that have been broken, or have been weakened by tooth decay or a very large filling. A crown could be used for a number of other reasons, for example:
- You may have a discoloured filling and would like to improve the appearance of the tooth.
- You may have had a root filling and need a crown to protect what is left of the tooth.
- It may help to hold a bridge or denture firmly in place.
What is the process?
Fitting a crown usually requires two visits. The first visit will involve your dentist taking a mould so that a laboratory can build a perfectly fitted crown. During this visit, your dentist will also prepare your tooth by first cleaning away any debris and decay from the tooth, then the tooth is shaped so that the crown will fit neatly over it.
On the second visit, usually 3-4 weeks later, your new crown will be ready to be fitted. Your Tower Dental dentist will fit the crown and then cement it into place, providing that the colour and fit match the original specification and your existing teeth.
Dental Crowns Mont Albert
What is a dental crown made of?
The variety of materials now available to make crowns means that the costs can vary considerably. However, it also means that there are affordable solutions available and accessible to most people. Crowns can be made of a variety of different materials and new materials are continually being introduced. Some of the most popular options are listed below.
Porcelain bonded to precious metal:
This is what most crowns are made from. A precious metal base is made and then porcelain is applied in layers over it.
Dental crowns Surrey Hills
Porcelain dental crowns
Many people favour these because they are a good colour match for your existing teeth and therefore look very natural. However, they are also at the more expensive end of the market. If price is a consideration, ask your dentist about porcelain-metal composites, which have the durability of metal, the natural aesthetic and a slightly more palatable price.
All-ceramic dental crowns
This modern technique offers a metal-free alternative, which can give the strength of a bonded crown and the appearance of a porcelain crown. Therefore it is suitable for use in all areas of the mouth. Crowns can also be made from resin. While this is a relatively inexpensive material, it does not last as long as some of the others and wears down relatively easier. So the initial savings are not always as attractive as they first seem.
Glass dental crowns
These crowns look very natural and can be used anywhere in the mouth.
Gold-alloy dental crowns
Gold is one of the oldest filling materials. Today it is used with other metal alloys to increase its strength, which makes it very hardwearing. These crowns are silver or gold in colour.
Metallic dental crowns
Not everybody wants a metallic or gold crown right in their front set of teeth. However, metallic crowns do have advantages in terms of durability and minimising the impact on other teeth. So if the crown is required at the back of your mouth, it may be an option.
Dental Crowns Kew
What is a post crown?
In root-filled teeth it may be necessary to insert a post into the tooth root before placing a crown. A post gives support and helps the crown to stay in place. The surface of the tooth may be removed down to the level of the gum.
A post can be made of prefabricated stainless steel which the dentist can fit directly into the root canal. Or a custom-made post can be constructed by a dental technician to accurately fit the shape of the prepared root canal. The post is placed into the root canal and cemented in position, ready for the crown to be attached.
Are there any alternatives to post crowns for root-filled teeth?
If a root-filled tooth is not completely broken down, it may be possible for your dentist to build it up again using filling material. This 'core' is then prepared in the same way as a natural tooth and the impressions are taken.
What will happen between visits?
A temporary crown will be made so that you can use the tooth while you wait for the crown to be made. This crown may be more noticeable but is only temporary.
How is the crown fitted?
When you and your dentist are happy with the fit and appearance of the new crown, it will be fixed in place with special dental cement or adhesive. The cement forms a seal to hold the crown in place.
Does it hurt to have a tooth prepared for a crown?
No. You will have a local anaesthetic and the preparation work should feel no different from a filling. If the tooth does not have a nerve, and a post crown is being prepared, then you may not need a local anaesthetic.
Dental crowns Hawthorn
Will the crown be noticeable?
The crown will be made to match your other teeth as closely as possible. The shade of the surrounding teeth will be recorded, to make sure that the colour looks natural and matches those teeth.
Will the crown feel different?
Because the shape of the crown will be slightly different from the shape of your tooth before it was crowned, you may be aware of it at first. Within a few days it should feel fine, and you will not notice it. The crown may need some adjustment if your bite does not feel comfortable, and if this is the case, you should ask your dentist to check and adjust it.
What will it cost?
Costs will vary according to the type of crown and the material used. At Tower Dental we have dental payment plans that may assist with the cost. Please call one of our friendly staff for further details.
How do I care for my crown?
It is important to keep the crown just as clean as you would your natural teeth. The crown itself cannot decay, but decay can start where the edge of the crown joins the tooth. Brush last thing at night and at least one other time during the day with a fluoride toothpaste, and clean in between your teeth with ‘interdental' brushes or floss. One thing that can affect your crown is if your grind your teeth at night in your sleep. If you do grind your teeth (or if you think you do!), discuss it with your dentist. They will be able to advise you on potential steps you could take to protect your teeth from damage.
Dental Crowns Camberwell
How long will the crown last?
Properly cared for dental crowns should last for many years. If you treated it like one of your own teeth and maintain a good standard of oral hygiene, then your crown should last for over a decade (depending on the quality of the materials used). Your dentist in Balwyn will be able to give you full advice on how to ensure that your crown lasts a long time.
If you would like to know more about the type of crown that would be most suitable for you, please call one of our friendly staff on 9817 7144. We welcome all patients from Mont Albert, Surrey Hills, Camberwell, Hawthorn and Kew.