Dental crowns (also known as caps) are laboratory-made restoration fitted on top of a prepared tooth to improve the appearance and function of a tooth. Dental Crowns are constructed of porcelain or ceramic material. They are made to blend in with your existing teeth for an excellent discrete option.
Why Would I Need a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns can be used on teeth that have broken down due to natural wear and tear or even tooth decay but can’t be filled or have inlays & Onlays. These issues can include:
- Repairing a broken (worn) down tooth
- Replace missing teeth alongside a bridge or on dental implants
- Used to repair and cover a tooth that has had a root canal
- Occasionally used to close minor gaps between teeth
- Used to repair teeth that have large cracks, chips or a lot of decay
- Improve the aesthetics on discoloured teeth, or poorly shaped teeth
What Are The Benefits of Porcelain Dental Crowns?
They are:
- Strong & durable
- Made to blend in with your natural teeth
- Act like your natural teeth
- Long-lasting if cared for properly
Will My New Tooth Be Secure?
Depending on your requirement (based on the treatment you go ahead with), crowns will be secured in place by:
- Dental implants – a titanium screw that is placed into the bone & gum to securely hold the tooth in place (our sister practice has an implant dentist who can offer this treatment)
- Dental cement – the new dental crown will be cemented on top of the prepared tooth
Common Types of Crowns Used
Porcelain fused to metal: These are the most commonly used crowns. We can match the porcelain to your natural tooth colour to easily blend them into your smile. Porcelain is also inherently strong and durable, ideal for repairing teeth. We often recommend them for the back teeth, as the metal base makes the core of the crown strong enough to withstand everyday chewing forces. The downside is that when they are used on the front teeth, the metal base can show through if hit by full natural light. If your gum line also recedes, it can make a dark line visible where the gum meets the crown.
Porcelain/Ceramic Crowns: These give the most natural appearance and are great for patients who have a metal allergy. These are recommended more for the front teeth as they don’t suffer from the visible dark line with the porcelain fused to metal crowns. They, unfortunately, do not have the same strength and are more susceptible to chipping/cracking, especially if you have a prolific clenching or grinding habit.
Zirconia Crowns: Zirconia is the best of both worlds. They give you the overall aesthetics like the full porcelain crowns. They are also the most robust material (more substantial than the metal base crowns). Zirconia is practically indestructible and can be used for front and back teeth. However, one downside to these crowns is that they can cause other teeth to wear down when they come into contact because of how strong they are. There are two methods to utilise Zirconia; it can either be milled out of a solid block or can be used as a solid core base for a porcelain veneer. Due to the strength of the material, they can be made thinner than the other crowns, meaning there is less tooth preparation required.
Temporary Crowns: These are a quick solution until we fit your permanent crown. They are usually made out of an acrylic material which doesn’t have the same strength as porcelain. Once the base is prepared, these are placed on your tooth base and will keep your tooth protected until a final Crown is ready. It usually takes a couple of weeks for the labs to turn the crowns around.
How Long Do Crowns Last?
This will vary depending on the exact type of crown you have (Zirconia being the strongest) and your lifestyle (oral hygiene, clenching/grinding habit). Typically the lifespan of a crown will last between 10-15 years, and we are always happy to advise on best practices in looking after your crowns.
The most common reason we see crowns failing is down to gum disease. If you have broken or chipped a crown, it will need replacing. This is because bacteria can then enter the tooth and cause further complications (gum disease etc.) Still, you can easily combat this with an effective oral hygiene routine and regular dental hygienist visits.
How Long Does It Take To Fit Crowns?
Fitting crowns can be done over two appointments. The first appointment is the longer of the two and usually is about an hour long. , The Dentist will prepare the tooth to protect it from decay and make space for the crown to be fitted. We will also provide a temporary crown to protect the tooth until the final fit.
The second appointment will be shorter, commonly taking around 40 minutes to remove the temporary crown and cement the final crown and give it a polish for a nice overall finish.
We will always advise you on the appointments when you make them, but please do not hesitate to ask us if you are unsure.
Which Options Are The Most Suitable For Me?
We are happy to see you for a dental assessment. We understand there are now many different treatment options available which can seem confusing. We will thoroughly examine your teeth and discuss your suitable options to achieve dental health.
Call us today to start your journey to a healthier smile.