Crowns can be an effective solution for repairing chipped, cracked or broken teeth.
Also known as “tooth caps” or “dental caps”, crowns are a restorative treatment option which can be used in a number of ways to restore both the form and function of a tooth.
What is a dental crown?
A crown is effectively a ‘cap’ that is individually customised to cover a patient’s tooth. Crowns are typically used to either fix or strengthen the patient’s tooth, or enhance performance. During the procedure, the crown is cemented in place, perfectly encasing the tooth for full protection. Crowns are typically necessary for a number of the following scenarios:
- Cracked, worn down, or weak teeth
- Large cavities that can’t be filled
- Coverage for dental implants
- Restoration after root canal
- Cosmetic reasons, especially for front teeth
Different types of dental crowns
There are both temporary and permanent crowns, both of which can be made from a variety of different materials.
Temporary Crowns
Temporary crowns can be made in the dental practice and can be used to temporarily cover up a tooth. Temporary crowns are often made from acrylic based material or stainless steel.
Metal
Rarely used these days, metal crowns are out-dated given the newer technology available. While extremely strong, the limited aesthetic appeal of metal crowns has made them increasingly unpopular. Another disadvantage is that they are usually made from alloys with a high gold/platinum content, or base metal alloys, which makes them comparatively pricey.
All-ceramic
The most commonly used crown in modern dentistry, all-ceramic caps are durable and can be custom-made to provide exactly the right amount of strength and aesthetic appeal. When fitting an all-ceramic crown, the dentist will decide on the exact composition to suit the patient’s unique needs. Monolithic crowns are made from a single piece of ceramic, making them stronger and more durable.
All-ceramic crowns are easily considered the best cosmetic choice, providing a natural colour match that’s far better than any other materials, and are of course more suitable for people with metal allergies.
Crowns and bridges must be created and moulded uniquely for each person and each tooth. At City Smiles all crowns are made using the latest digital impression scanning technology., Trios provides dentists with a 100% accurate 3D impression of the teeth which enables them to quickly and efficiently create a crown that fits perfectly. This system makes the preparation quicker and more comfortable while speeding up the entire process. All our crowns are made in Australia using the latest technology and dental materials.
Dental Crown Procedure
The procedure of providing a dental crown typically takes two separate visits to the dentist. On the first visit, the dentist will examine the tooth undergoing the procedure, this will determine whether the area is suitable for a crown and begin filing it down in preparation for the crown. After the tooth has been filed to the required shape, the dentist will use Trios to make a digital impression of the affected tooth and the area around it. This will then be sent away to a dental lab where a bespoke crown will be developed. At the end of the first visit, the patient will have a temporary crown fitted, which protects the tooth until the final crown is ready to be permanently fitted.
The second visit will occur once the permanent crown is ready to be fitted. At this appointment, the temporary crown is removed, and the permanent crown is positioned and fastened using a special adhesive.
Once the procedure is completed, it might take a bit of getting used to for the permanent crown to feel normal. However, after a short amount of time, the crown should feel normal and comfortable in the mouth and look and function like a regular tooth.
The dentist will determine whether dental crowns are suitable for you as you may be a candidate for dental implants or another cosmetic or restorative dental treatment.
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