- 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 tooth.
- you
may have had a root filling which will require a crown to
protect it.
- you
may have had an accident and damaged the tooth.
- it
may hold a bridge or denture firmly in place.
What
Are Crowns Made Of?
Crowns
are made of a variety of materials, and new materials are
continually being introduced. Here are some of the options
available at present:
- Porcelain
bonded to precious metal: This is what the majority of crowns
are made from. A precious metal base is made and porcelain
is then applied in layers over it.
-
Porcelain: These crowns are not as strong as bonded crowns
but they can look very natural and are most often used for
front teeth, especially for younger people.
-
Precious metal (gold and palladium): These crowns are very
strong and hard wearing, but are usually used at the back
of the mouth, where they are not visible.
How Is A Tooth Prepared For A Crown?
The
tooth is prepared to the ideal shape for the crown. This will
involve removing most of the outer surface, and leaving a
strong inner 'core'. The amount of the tooth removed will
be the same as the thickness of the crown to be fitted. Once
the tooth is shaped, an impression is taken of the prepared
tooth, one of the opposite jaw and possibly another to mark
the way you bite together. The impressions will be given to
the technician, along with any other information needed to
make the crown.
Who
Makes The Crown? The impression and shade information
will be given to a Dental Technician who will be skilled in
making crowns. Models will be made of your mouth and the crown
will be constructed on these in order to ensure that the crown
fits perfectly.
Will
The Crown Be Noticeable?
No.
The crown will be made to match your other teeth exactly.
The shade of the neighbouring teeth will be recorded, to make
sure that the colour looks natural and matches the surrounding
teeth. This is done using both a shade guide and digital photography.
The technician will be able to match the characteristics of
your own teeth with the help of the digital image. In some
cases, the characterisation is so detailed, the only way to
ensure a perfect match is to visit the laboratory and allow
the technician to see your teeth himself. This can be arranged.
A temporary crown, usually made in plastic, will be fitted
at the end of the first appointment to last until the definitive
one is ready. These temporary crowns may be more noticeable,
but they are only a temporary measure.
How
Long Does The Treatment Take?
At
least two visits are needed, the first for the preparation,
impression, shade taking and fitting the temporary crown,
and the second to fit the permanent crown. The first appointment
would normally be an hour.
Does
It Hurt To Have A Tooth Prepared For A Crown?
No.
A local anaesthetic is used and the preparation should feel
no different to that of a filling.
Are
Post Crowns Different?
Post
crowns may be used when the tooth has been root filled or
if there is no tooth remaining above the level of the gum.
The weakened crown of the tooth is drilled off at the level
of the gum. A double-ended 'post' is constructed to fit into
the root canal. This can be either prefabricated Stainless
Steel or custom made of gold. One end of the post is cemented
into the root canal, and the other end holds the crown firmly
in place.
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 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.
How
Long Will A Crown Last?
The
life of a crown will depend on how well it is looked after.
The crown itself cannot decay, but decay can start where the
edge of the crown joins the tooth. It is very important to
keep this area as clean as your other teeth, or decay may
occur which could endanger the crown. Properly cared for crowns
will last for many years.
How
Are Crowns Fixed To Teeth?
Once
the fit and appearance of the crown has been checked - and
approved by you - it will be cemented in place with special
dental cement. The cement also forms a seal to help hold it
firmly in place.
Will
The Crown Feel Different?
Because
the shape of the crown will be slightly different from the
shape of the tooth before it was crowned, you may be somewhat
aware of it to begin with. Within a few days it should feel
fine, and you will become unaware of it. The crown may need
some adjustment if it feels proud of the surrounding teeth.
If it is at all uncomfortable you should return so it can
be checked and adjusted.
Click
here to obtain more information about treatments
available in our practice
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