Crowns
Crowns or caps are used to restore teeth to improve strength and appearance
What are crowns?
Sometimes known as ‘caps’ these are restorations that cover a tooth and restore it to its normal shape and size, strengthening the tooth. They can also improve the appearance of a tooth.
Crowns are necessary when a tooth is broken down and fillings will not solve the problem. If a tooth is cracked or is root-filled a crown may be necessary to hold the tooth together so that the crack does not spread or the root-filled tooth does not fracture vertically. Crowns are also used to attach bridges to teeth and also on implants.
To prepare the tooth for a crown, the tooth is reduced so that the crown can fit over it. An impression of the teeth is then sent to the laboratory for the crown to be made. A temporary crown is fitted over the tooth until the permanent crown can be cemented.
What type of crowns are there?
There are two main types of crown – white crowns made of all porcelain or porcelain bonded to metal, and metal crowns, most commonly gold. The different types of crown vary in cost, amount of tooth reduction required, durability and wear.
We offer both types of crown and would advise you on what type of crown is most suitable depending upon the individual teeth.
What are post crowns?
If a tooth is root-filled it is sometimes necessary to place a post inside the root of the tooth where the root filling is in order to gain adequate retention for a crown to be placed. Posts are traditionally made of a cast alloy, but increasingly, carbon fibre posts are being cemented into teeth providing a very strong support for the crown.
How long do crowns last?
We can never give an exact time for how long a crown will last as it will depend upon a patient’s individual mouth and bite, but typically crowns should last 5-8 years +
Good oral hygiene and diet will help crowns last much longer as this will help prevent gum disease and decay around the margin of a crown.
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