Crowns
A crown aims to save and protect an existing tooth that has been damaged by trauma or decay. In cases where the tooth has undergone root canal treatment, a crown is recommended to strengthen the tooth once the nerve has been removed.
Importance of Crowns
- Protection and Restoration: Crowns play a crucial role in protecting and restoring damaged teeth. Whether it’s due to decay, trauma, or structural weakness, crowns provide a durable covering that helps to strengthen and preserve the remaining tooth structure. This prevents further damage and ensures the tooth can continue to function properly.
- Aesthetic Enhancement: Beyond functionality, crowns also contribute significantly to the aesthetic aspect of dentistry. They can be customized to match the color, shape, and size of natural teeth, creating a seamless and attractive smile. This is particularly important for front teeth where appearance is paramount.
- Longevity: Crowns are designed to be long-lasting solutions. With proper care and maintenance, they can endure for many years, providing reliable functionality and aesthetic appeal. This durability makes them a valuable investment for patients seeking lasting solutions to dental problems.
- Support for Dental Restorations: Crowns serve as essential components in various dental restorations such as bridges and dental implants. They provide stable anchors for these prosthetic devices, ensuring they are securely attached and capable of withstanding the forces of chewing and speaking. This support is crucial for maintaining overall oral health and function.
- Prevention of Further Damage: In cases where a tooth has undergone extensive restoration or root canal therapy, crowns are often used to cap the treated tooth. This not only protects the weakened tooth from fracturing but also prevents bacterial infiltration, reducing the risk of infection and the need for further invasive procedures. Crowns thus contribute to the overall longevity and health of the tooth.
Crowns are made from porcelain and or alloy. The porcelain is made to match your natural teeth colour and is resistant to staining. Alloy provides the crown with strength, hardness and durability, which is most useful for molars because they are used for crushing and grinding.
On your first visit, our dentist will take an impression of your teeth with a putty type material for record keeping. Then your teeth will be painlessly reshaped by one to two millimeters to make room for either the crown or bridge, and a second impression is taken. This impression is then sent to a lab where a dental technician will make the crown or bridge.
On your second visit, the crown is then cemented into place. The dentist may need to make minor, painless adjustments to make the crown more comfortable once it has been fitted.