A dental crown is a cosmetic dental treatment that typically involves placing a tooth-like cap over an existing tooth to give it a healthy, natural look. Dental crowns restore the aesthetic and function by improving the tooth’s shape, size, colour, and strength.
So, when do you need a dental crown? As a versatile restorative and cosmetic dental solution, dental crowns are prescribed to treat tooth decay, broken or cracked teeth, or discolouration. Although dental crowns are typically fitted over multiple dental visits, No Gaps Dental offers same-day CEREC dental restorations so you can go home with a beautiful smile after a single visit.
When Do You Need a Dental Crown?
You may need to undergo a dental crown procedure for several reasons, including:
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To Protect a Weakened Tooth
Tooth decay can erode your tooth from within, causing a pulp infection and weakening the tooth structure, making it more vulnerable to breakage or fractures. Severe tooth decay can lead to bacterial infections or an abscess, which can cause tooth loss.
Dental crowns protect weakened teeth from further damage. They are also effective in restoring teeth with large fillings. Teeth with large fillings generally have minimal natural tooth remaining, so a dental crown restores its structure and functionality.
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To Restore a Broken or Damaged Tooth
When it comes to restoring broken teeth, dental crowns are an excellent treatment option. A crown is fitted over the existing tooth holding your tooth in place, reducing the risk of infection.
At No Gaps Dental, our crowns are milled onsite from a solid block of porcelain ceramic, ensuring they are durable and long-lasting. Porcelain has similar translucent properties to tooth enamel, giving your tooth a natural appearance.
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To Keep a Dental Bridge in Place
Dental bridges treat patients with missing teeth due to an accident or disease such as periodontitis.
A dental bridge consists of multiple crowns plus an artificial tooth, called a pontic. A bridge is attached to the abutment teeth and secured into place with dental crowns. A dental bridge can restore chewing function and improve speech.
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To Restore a Discoloured Tooth
Whether your tooth is discoloured due to diet, disease, medications, genetics, or ageing, dental crowns can restore your smile’s brightness. While bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, and sodium perborate, are popular options for teeth whitening, they are often ineffective for intrinsic staining.
With No Gaps Dental CEREC crowns, we use an advanced colour matching system to ensure your crown perfectly blends with the rest of your natural teeth.
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To Cover a Dental Implant
Dental implants are a permanent solution for tooth loss. The metal implant post is either screwed into the bone (endosteal) or secured on top of the bone (subperiosteal) before dental crowns are attached to give you a full smile.
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To Protect a Root Canal
Root canal treatment is prescribed to repair teeth with a pulp infection or cracked or broken teeth that expose the pulp chamber. Your dentist may recommend a dental crown procedure following the root canal treatment to restore the tooth’s appearance and functionality.
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To Cover a Misshapen Tooth
Teeth that are severely worn down due to grinding, have sustained trauma and structural damage, or erupted abnormally may have a misshapen appearance. Although minor reshaping can be achieved using dental bonding or tooth recontouring, dental crowns offer a longer-lasting solution to correct the look of irregular teeth.
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To Replace Damaged Cusps
The cusps of your tooth are used to tear food into smaller pieces. When a cusp breaks off, it can cause severe discomfort and affect your ability to eat. Unfortunately, fillings and bonding don’t offer enough strength to withstand intense bite force.
Because it covers the whole tooth, a dental crown evenly distributes this force, protecting the remaining cusps and minimizing pressure on the tooth root.
When Do You Need a Dental Crown: The Dental Crown Procedure
In the past, the dental crown procedure traditionally took multiple dental visits. At No Gaps Dental, we proudly offer our patients same-day dental crowns.
We use the latest state-of-the-art dental technology to offer Chair-side Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic (CEREC) crowns. CEREC technology uses high-spec cameras and dental software to take 3D images of your mouth and teeth, allowing you to avoid messy dental impressions. This industry-leading CAD/CAM technology enables us to fabricate your custom crown in just 15 minutes.
CEREC crowns require significantly less preparation and time than the traditional approach. They are fabricated using hypoallergenic ceramic, reducing the chances of an allergic reaction.
Advanced dental technology enables us to create quality crowns that fit your mouth and gums precisely.
This not only results in a great-looking smile but also lowers the risk of structural damage to your gums and bacterial infection.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Our CEREC crowns are strong, durable, and can last 10-15 years, provided you take care of them. Through good oral hygiene habits, such as regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups, you can reduce the risk of cracks, staining, and wear.
If you have a crown that is more than 10 years old, book a consultation at No Gaps Dental to check its condition. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it could be a sign that your crown needs to be replaced:
- Discomfort or swelling around the crown.
- Wear and tear or visible damage to the crown.
- The gum line around your crown is receding. minimising
Book a Dental Crown Procedure With No Gaps Dental
When do you need a dental crown? If you’re experiencing oral discomfort or are unhappy with the look of your smile, you may need a dental crown.
Get in touch with No Gaps Dental by calling us on (02) 8806 0227 and book a consultation. In addition to CEREC crowns, we provide numerous cosmetic and restorative procedures, such as dental implants, root canals, veneers, and emergency dental treatment.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.