What is a Crown?
A crown is a permanent, hollow cap that is created to look like your natural tooth. It is a restorative treatment option which may be necessary if you have a broken, decayed or weak tooth, a large cavity that’s too big for a filling, or a root canal procedure to restore a tooth. Additionally, this treatment option is good for covering a tooth that is either misshapen or discoloured.
Crowns can be made up of a number of different materials. These include:
Ceramic
This is the most realistic looking material a crown can be made of, making it a good choice if the crown is needed on a front tooth. Benefits of ceramic crowns are:
- Can be easily colour-matched with your other teeth
- Good if you have metal allergies as they do not contain metal
Gold
A gold crown is made up of a combination of copper and metals, such as chromium or nickel. However, since it is not the most aesthetically appealing, this material is most often used only for back of the mouth restorations. It is also important to tell your dentist if you have any metal allergies before considering this option. Benefits of gold crowns are:
- Very strong and durable, so rarely chip or break
- Long-lasting and wear down slowly
- Doesn’t require a lot of the natural tooth to be removed
- Highly compatible with the bite of your natural teeth
Porcelain
This is the most popular crown material available. However, this option is not as strong as metal crowns so requires better care in order to last. Benefits of porcelain crowns are:
- Very easy to match with the surrounding teeth in shape, size & colour
- Provides a natural look
- Metal and toxic-free
Zirconia
This is a relatively new material that combines the natural look of porcelain with the strength of metal, making it a popular choice. Benefits of zirconia crowns are:
- Visually appealing
- Strong, long-lasting and less likely to wear
- Metal-free
Crown Procedures at Burgess & Hyder Dental Group
At Burgess & Hyder Dental Group, a crown is provided as an NHS service and usually requires two appointments.
Here’s what is involved:
- First, the tooth is prepped for treatment. To do this the dentist will remove any decay and, if necessary, build up the core of the tooth to ensure there is adequate support for a successful crown placement.
- Following this, they will take an impression of the tooth in order to ensure the sizing and model is identical.
- The dentist may then provide you with a temporary crown while the permanent one is created. This can take approximately two weeks.
- Finally, you will come into the clinic for the fitting of your permanent crown. This will be cemented into place once you and the dentist are happy and comfortable with the positioning.
How to Care for Your Crown
The following steps can help to ensure the long-term success of your crown:
- Maintain good daily hygiene practices, which includes brushing and flossing teeth twice every day.
- Avoid chewing hard foods and objects.
- Visit your dentist regularly for exams and cleaning.