Dental Crowns

What are Dental Crowns?

Sometimes called dental caps, crowns completely cover a tooth. After having a crown fitted, you will no longer be able to see any of the tooth underneath. The crown ensures the tooth is fully sealed, protecting it from infection and decay.

Your dental crown is custom-made to fit your tooth precisely. It is contoured to look like a real tooth, restoring your ability to bite and chew comfortably and your appearance.

With the right care, a dental crown should last 10 years or longer, and they are extremely durable and strong. We can make your new crown from a range of materials, including the very latest, most lifelike ceramics.

When Would I Need a Dental Crown?

There are several situations where a dental crown is needed, including:

• Repairing a large cavity or extensive tooth decay.
• Protecting a fractured, cracked, or weak tooth.
• Repairing teeth that are worn down due to teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism).
• Restoring a tooth after root canal therapy.
• Covering a dental implant.

Sometimes dental crowns are used as part of a smile makeover. We can use them to enhance the appearance of teeth that may be misshapen, too small, or discolored.

Types of Dental Crowns

Our dental crown options include the following.

1. Porcelain crowns.
2. Zirconia crowns.
3. Ceramic crowns.
4. Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns.
5. Gold crowns.
6. Temporary crowns.

1. Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are metal-free and made from lithium disilicate. This material is highly translucent, allowing light to pass through the crown and closely replicating a natural tooth. A porcelain crown provides the best aesthetics and is ideal when restoring front teeth.

2. Zirconia Crowns

These crowns are extremely durable and very strong. They are also metal-free and are suitable for restoring teeth anywhere in the mouth. There are different types of zirconia available, including zirconia for bruxism, which is used to restore teeth in individuals who clench and grind their teeth.

3. Ceramic Crowns

This is another type of crown that is entirely metal-free. These crowns are very aesthetically pleasing and tend to be slightly stronger than porcelain crowns, making them more suitable for use anywhere in the mouth.

4. Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) Crowns

These crowns have been used for decades and feature a thin metal alloy substructure covered with porcelain. They are strong and cost-effective, but produce slightly less aesthetically pleasing results than metal-free crowns. This is because an opaque porcelain must be used to cover the metal substructure, allowing less light to pass through the crown.

5. Gold Crowns

Gold crowns are made from a precious metal alloy and are highly polished. They are extremely durable and long-lasting, and gold is kind to the opposing teeth and will not wear them down. However, gold crowns are visible in the mouth, so they are most often used on back teeth or when someone wishes to make a stronger, more individual statement about their smile.

6. Temporary Crowns

Temporary crowns protect teeth that are prepared for a permanent crown and are only used while your new crown is being made. They are generally made from tooth-colored composite resin, so they should look and feel comfortable. However, they are more fragile because they are designed to last only a few weeks.

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Teeth crowns can offer significant benefits, including:

• Restoring form and function to a tooth.
• Protecting a weak tooth from further damage and decay.
• Results are long-lasting, typically 10 years or more.
• Metal-free crowns and PFM crowns can be closely matched to the natural tooth shade.

Our custom-designed crowns can improve appearance, boosting self-confidence. Every crown we provide is uniquely contoured to match your natural teeth, creating a seamless, beautiful smile.

The Dental Crown Procedure

Getting a dental crown is minimally invasive, but it will likely require at least two visits to Dental Pearl.

1. Dental Exam and Consultation

Our restorative dentist will examine your mouth to determine whether a crown is appropriate. If so, they will likely take digital dental X-rays to evaluate the tooth further and assess any signs of infection or decay that need to be treated during this procedure.

A custom treatment plan will outline the type of restoration we recommend, and you will learn how much your new dental crown costs. We can discuss a range of materials with you to help you choose the right crown for your treatment goals.

2. Tooth Preparation

Your tooth is prepared using a local anesthetic to ensure it is fully numb, so you will not feel any pain or discomfort. Our dentist will carefully remove any damaged or decayed portions, shaping the tooth so your new crown fits properly and looks good.

3. Digital Dental Impression

A tiny handheld scanner captures a digital dental impression of your tooth. The process does not take very long and stitches together thousands of images to create a 3-D digital impression.

The digital impression is far more precise and much more comfortable for our patients, especially for anyone with a strong gag reflex. Also, our dentist can check the impression on-screen to ensure it is perfect before sending the file to our dental lab, so your new crown can be fabricated according to our prescription.

4. Temporary Crown

It will take two or more weeks for your new crown to be custom-made, and we will cover your prepared tooth with a temporary crown. This will ensure the tooth feels comfortable and protect it from exposure to food and drinks, as well as temperature changes.

A temporary crown is only fitted with temporary cement, so you will need to take care not to dislodge or break it. There is no need to worry; we will give you precise instructions at that time.

5. Final Crown Placement

When your new crown is ready, you return to our dental office so we can remove the temporary crown and try in your beautiful new permanent crown. Our dentist will check that it fits accurately, make any minor adjustments required, and then bond it to your tooth and complete your treatment.

6. Aftercare Advice

It’s perfectly normal to experience some minor tooth sensitivity after receiving any new restoration. This sensitivity should disappear after a few days.

If the sensitivity doesn’t disappear, please get in touch with us for further help and advice. Sometimes a new crown may be slightly too high, affecting your bite. In this case, we can adjust the crown to fit comfortably.

How to Choose the Right Material for Your Dental Crown

Many people have a clear idea of which material they would like to choose, but below are some factors to consider.

• Aesthetics.
• Budget.
• Oral habits like teeth grinding and clenching.
• Metal sensitivities or allergies.

If you are unsure, our friendly dental team can discuss all options with you further and help you make the right choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Long Will a Dental Crown Last?

Generally, dental crowns should last 10 years, but some last much longer. Looking after your new crown will help prolong its natural life. The only exception is temporary crowns, which are intended to last only a short while.

2. Are Crowns Covered by Insurance?

When a crown is required for restorative purposes, it may be partly covered under your insurance plan. The amount of coverage will depend on the type of plan and the material used to fabricate your crown. Cosmetic crowns are unlikely to be covered.

3. Are Crowns Better Than Fillings?

Both serve different purposes, and while crowns protect the entire tooth, they may be unnecessary when a tooth has a small cavity that can be easily repaired with a dental filling.

4. What Should I Do If My Crown Falls off?

Contact us immediately. You should never try to recement a crown yourself, especially with household glue, which can be toxic and extremely damaging to the crown and your tooth. We may be able to clean the crown and recement it properly, or otherwise replace it.