Crowns are placed to improve the
appearance of your teeth if they are damaged,
discoloured or slightly crooked.
A crown will protect heavily filled teeth and
may be the only possible long term solution.
What are crowns made of?
There are several different materials from which
crowns can be made- Gold, porcelain with a metal
base, all porcelain and composite. The different
types of crowns are suitable for different
situations in the mouth.
What is involved in crown preparation?
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
The tooth is assessed and any existing decay and gum problems are
treated. Once the tooth and supporting tissues are healthy there are
normally two appointments required.
At the first appointment the tooth and existing filling are reduced in
size before recording an impression. In order to take an accurate
impression of the margins of the crown we must pack a cord round the gum
line of the tooth.
A temporary crown is made and cemented on the tooth. If the crown is to be made
from porcelain then a shade needs to be taken. We will either record a shade for
you or request that the technician choose the shade depending on where the crown
is and the quality of light.
The impression is then sent to the
laboratory where the technician makes the crown.
After this appointment your gum will often feel
tender round the tooth for a few days and the
tooth may initially be a little temperature or
pressure sensitive. If the bite is not right, or
problems persist after 2-3 days please let us
know.
At the second appointment 10-14 days later the
finished crown is tested in the mouth for proper
fit, shape and colour.
The bite is adjusted on
both the crown and occasionally on adjacent or
opposing teeth to get the best possible
chewing platform. Once everything has been
checked the crown is cemented.
Complications?
The length of time that a crown will last
depends on a wide variety of factors including
the way in which your teeth meet, how heavily
you chew, whether you grind your teeth and your
own maintenance of your oral hygiene. Usually
you can expect a lifetime of 10 - 15 years for a crown in a well maintained
mouth. Most crowns will however last for considerably longer.
The most common complication after the placement
of a crown is the loss of vitality of the tooth.
This is most commonly due to a pre- existing
deep filling. We make every effort prior to
crowning a tooth to ensure its vitality.
However, should a tooth become non-vital and
require root canal treatment this can be done
through the existing crown in the vast majority
of cases. If a Root Canal is required the cost
will be additional.
Recurrent decay around a crown or advancing
periodontal disease around a crown are both
preventable with a good home care regime and
regular check ups with both the dentist and the
hygienist.
Less common problems such as the fracture of a
crown or chipping of the
porcelain can be assessed on an individual
basis- all work is covered under a guarantee for
five years which is normally sufficient time for
problems with the manufacture of the crown to
arise.
