Crowns are custom-made caps designed to protect badly broken down teeth and we recommend them when a filling wouldn’t be strong enough, or for teeth that are already weakened, especially if they have an existing root canal filling.
In the past most crowns were made of full metal or had a metal core in them. There were no alternative options. These in the long term can cause black lines at the top of the crowns and darkening of the gums which may not be so important towards the back but can affect the aesthetics of your smile if at the front. Thanks to the wonders of modern dentistry, crowns these days can be made in full porcelain materials to fit in with your natural tooth shade and shape and they can also be custom-painted to match any specific aesthetic needs. It is an appliance handmade specifically for you.
The process
We will first examine clinically and radiograpically that your tooth can support a crown. Once this is confirmed, the treatment process can begin. In case of cosmetic crowns, initial impressions of your mouth will also be taken, so that we can make a model of your teeth, giving the lab technician a better idea of how your teeth come together when you bite. Sometimes, clinical photos will be taken to assist the technician to match your crown better to your natural teeth
Your tooth will then be prepared to accommodate the crown, which involves safely and gently removing a small amount of tooth structure and the final impressions will be taken. The replacement tooth will be prepared for you at the lab according to the prescription we will send and during the waiting period your crown is being created in the dental laboratory, we will provide you with a temporary crown, to protect the remaining structure.
Once your crown has been prepared, we will call you back to the practice for a fitting appointment and you can leave with your brand-new crown. We’ll give you advice on how to take care of your crown at home and answer any questions you might have moving forwards.
