Crowns; a guide from our dentist
Dental crowns have long been a part of general dentistry and can go a long way towards repairing teeth that have been damaged through decay or trauma. But how much do dental patients know about them?
Our dental team has helped many patients restore their smiles using crowns and will always be on hand to answer any questions that you may have about this commonly used procedure.
In the following brief guide, our dental team talks about crowns, why they are needed, how they are fitted and so on. So read on to learn more!
What is a dental crown?
Also known as a cap, a dental crown will be fitted by our dentist if you have a tooth that is damaged beyond the scope of a regular filling. This can occur due to decay or trauma.
Crowns can be used to repair a tooth that has fallen apart (fragmented) and can also support a tooth that requires a large or deep filling. A crown is typically applied to the tooth using dental cement.
Fitting
A crown may sound similar to a large filling, but it is a bit more complicated than that.
For a crown to be fitted, the tooth has to be shaped and the crown is then placed upon it and sealed in place.
For this, our team will need to ‘trim’ away some of the tooth’s structure; how much is trimmed away will be based on the condition of the tooth itself and the cause for needing a crown. If it is due to decay, then our team will remove the decay, but will still need to trim the tooth. The crown is then matched to the original tooth shape, fitted and cemented in place. Simple!
Materials
Many people have seen someone who has had a crown and associate them with having a gold tooth.
Historically, gold was the optimum material for making a cap, but as technology has advanced, our team leans more towards using composite-based materials. This not only helps with the aesthetic of the tooth being repaired (due to the composite being customisable in colour to the surrounding tooth) but it also ensures that the crown will last longer. Why? Because it will be less reactive to hot and cold beverages being consumed, it won’t shrink or expand.
Aftercare
While all crowns are designed to be hardy and long-lasting, they still need to be treated with respect.
For instance, immediately after the crown fitting, you will need to avoid hard or crunchy foods and you will need to take care when flossing and brushing.
Complications
There are a few complications that come with having a crown fitted, but it is worth being aware of the ones that can cause problems.
Should you develop dental sensitivity or discomfort after a crown fitting, talk to our team as it may not be fitted properly. If you suspect that your crown is loose, then you should contact our emergency team for a same-day appointment.
DISCLAIMER
All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.