What are tooth crowns for? Essentially dental crowns are used to restore a tooth’s function and appearance. If you have broken a tooth or dislike its appearance, your dentist may suggest a dental crown to repair or change it.
What exactly are dental crowns?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cover that a dentist puts over a tooth. A crown can protect a damaged tooth or improve a tooth that looks unsightly. When cemented in place, a dental crown covers all the visible part of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
Your dentist may recommend a crown to:
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
- Protect a tooth following a root canal
- Cover a misshapen or discoloured tooth
- Support a tooth that has a large filling and very little tooth structure remaining
- Restore a fractured or broken tooth
- Attach a bridge to replace missing teeth
- Cover a dental implant
Types of dental crowns
Dental crowns are made from various materials, including:
- All-Ceramic
- Porcelain
- Porcelain fused to metal
- Zirconia
- Metal
- Composite resin
Your dentist will recommend the most suitable type of crown depending on factors, including:
- The tooth’s location
- Position of the gum tissue
- How much of the tooth shows when you smile
- How much natural tooth is remaining
- The function of the tooth that needs a crown
- The colour of the surrounding teeth
Which type of dental crown you choose may also be determined by your preference or budget.
What are temporary tooth crowns for?
Temporary crowns are just that – temporary! Typically, a dentist will place a temporary crown over a tooth prepared to receive a crown. By doing so, the tooth is protected while the patient waits for their custom permanent crown. A temporary crown is usually made from resin and will be attached with adhesive, so the dentist can easily remove it once the permanent crown is ready to be installed.
Onlay or ¾ crown
Some crowns or onlays only cover a portion of the tooth. If your tooth doesn’t require a full dental crown, your dentist may suggest an onlay instead.
One-Day Crown
Some dentists provide dental crowns that can be designed, fabricated and installed in a single dental appointment involving computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM).
Dental Crown Procedure
The procedure for getting a dental crown depends on whether your dentist opts for a multi-day or same-day procedure.
Multi-day crown procedure
Typically, a traditional dental crown requires two dental visits. The steps involved in the procedure include:
- An examination and preparation of the tooth to be crowned
- The top and sides of the tooth are filed down to make room for the crown
- An impression is taken of the prepared tooth
- A temporary crown is placed over the tooth to protect it
- The dentist sends the impression to a lab to make the custom crown
- The patient returns to the dental clinic to have the permanent crown installed
Single-day crown procedure
With a single-day dental crown, patients skip the temporary crown step.
- The dentist takes digital images of the prepared tooth
- The crown is created in the dental clinic from the digital images
- The patient waits or returns the same day to have the crown installed
Dental crown care
Having invested in dental crowns, it’s essential to take care of them. Good dental care can prolong the life of your crowns.
Here are some handy tips:
- Brush your teeth twice a day using toothpaste for sensitive teeth if the area around your dental crowns is sensitive to heat or cold.
- Floss daily to keep your teeth and crowns in tip-top shape.
- Avoid eating hard or sticky foods which could cause your crown to crack – particularly if you have a porcelain dental crown.
- Wear a nightguard when you go to bed to protect your teeth and crowns if you grind or clench your teeth.
With good dental care, your dental crowns could last up to 15 years before they need replacing.
Should I get a dental crown or an implant-retained bridge?
If your teeth are weak, uneven, crooked or cracked, a dental crown is appropriate for you. It’s also the right treatment if you suffer from tooth decay or toothache.
If you happen to have significant gaps between your teeth, you could qualify as a candidate for an implant-retained bridge. However, your dentist will need to check the health of your jawbone because if you select an implant-retained dental bridge, your bone needs to be healthy and dense to support the implants and the weight of the bridge.
An implant bridge uses an implant at each end of the tooth gap covered with dental crowns to support the bridge. The gap or ‘bridge’ comprises of one or more crowns to fill the space left behind by missing teeth.
If you have gaps between your teeth or you are losing teeth, it could be that your bone is degenerating. In these circumstances, your dentist will need to take x-rays and CT scans of your jaw structure to see if you’re a good fit for the procedure.
So now we’ve answered the question of what are tooth crowns for why not let us help with your dental crown needs.
No Gaps Dental has placed hundreds of dental crowns in the mouths of Sydney patients and utilises the latest CEREC technology and high quality, lifelike same-day crowns. Why not schedule a consultation by calling us on (02) 8806 0227 to see how we can help restore your smile.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.
References
Practo.com – Root Canal: Procedure and Guidelines
https://www.practo.com/health-wiki/root-canal-procedure-and-guidelines/95/article
Healthline – How Does a Gold Crown Stack up to Porcelain?
https://www.healthline.com/health/gold-crown-tooth
NHS Business Authority Services – Inlays ad Onlays
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/2021-04/Article_2_Inlays_And_Onlays_Guidance_Final_V4.pdf