Dental Crowns

They can be used as a protective cover for badly decayed or fractured teeth, as a permanent restoration for teeth with large fillings, or to correct minor problems such as spacing, irregular shape or severe discolouration.

They are also often used to restore root canal-treated teeth to provide them with strength and to provide these teeth with a good seal to avoid reinfection.

The crown preparation procedure

• At your first appointment, your dentist will carry out a thorough clinical examination using radiographs. This will determine whether or not a dental crown is necessary and if the root of the tooth is problem-free. Your dentist will also be able to advise you on material choices, what the treatment involves and also address any other concerns you may have.
• At your second appointment, the teeth to be crowned will be prepared. Old, longstanding fillings need to be removed, and the tooth cleaned before being replaced with a new core. This involves reducing the tooth size (usually under local anaesthetic) to create space for the crown.
• This is followed by an impression or scan of the prepared tooth. This will then be sent to a laboratory where a skilled technician will fabricate the crown. In the meantime, a temporary crown will be fitted to your trimmed tooth.
• At your final appointment, the temporary crown is removed, and the tooth surface is cleaned. The new crown was then permanently cemented.

Crowns are durable restorations; however, the underlying tooth can still be susceptible to decay or gum disease if not cared for correctly.