You may require a dental crown for several reasons. This effective treatment is an excellent way to restore your teeth and keep them healthier for longer – but what is a dental crown, and why might you need one? Here’s everything you need to know.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown can also be known as a ‘cap’ – it sits on top of your tooth to repair damage or maintain the structural and functional integrity of the tooth.
What is it made of?
A dental crown can consist of three different materials. The one we recommend will depend on its intended location and the type of damage we are using it to repair.
We usually place gold crowns on the back teeth for cosmetic purposes. They are very durable and can withstand the force of extensive chewing and biting.
We may suggest a metal crown covered by porcelain – this improves the tooth’s appearance whilst maintaining its strength. These are suitable to fix broken and badly decayed teeth in the front or back of the mouth – we restore them with porcelain, which we fuse to the metal crown.
Lastly, we can make crowns entirely out of porcelain. These are the most appealing cosmetically – we often use them on the front teeth.
During your treatment, we will work closely with you to find the most suitable crown.
Why might I need a dental crown?
Teeth become weak and damaged over time. If the damage is so extensive that we can’t repair it with a filling, we may suggest a dental crown to support it.
Similarly, crowns replace large fillings that have become loose or weak teeth from root canal treatment.
What happens during a dental crown procedure?
It often takes two appointments to prepare and cement a dental crown.
Firstly, we will shape the tooth to make room for the crown. We will fabricate a temporary crown whilst we make your permanent one. We will take an impression of your tooth and send this to a lab – they will create a custom-made crown just for you.
We will remove your temporary crown and clean the tooth thoroughly at the second appointment. Then, we will adjust your permanent crown to fit your bite exactly. Then, we will cement the crown onto your tooth.
What are the benefits?
Dental crowns are the most reliable and predictable way of restoring a weak tooth. Your replacement tooth will look, feel and function exactly like your natural teeth – this means you will be able to eat and speak exactly like you usually do.
A broken tooth is more vulnerable to infection, meaning you might need root canal treatment at some stage. Infection may also increase your risk of other health conditions like heart disease.
Repairing your broken tooth protects your overall health but also means you are less likely to need invasive dental treatment later in life.
Does the procedure hurt?
The procedure should be relatively painless. We will use a numbing injection to make sure you don’t feel any pain or discomfort when we are preparing your tooth for the dental crown.
If you are particularly nervous about dental procedures, we can offer you IV sedation.
How long does it take to heal?
You will experience little to no downtime with your dental crown. The tooth should be back to normal and fully-functioning within a few days, as there is no surgery involved.
How do I care for my dental crown?
Your crown is essentially another one of your natural teeth, and you can care for it as such. All you need to do is brush twice daily, use interdental brushes, and floss – as (we hope!) you would normally.
How long will it last?
With the right care, we expect your dental crown should last up to 15 years. If it becomes damaged in any way, we can repair or replace it.
Where can I get a dental crown in London?
The specialist dentists at Ten Dental are experts in dental crown treatment. We have repaired thousands of teeth using this method, so you can rest assured you’re in safe hands.
You can find our state-of-the-art clinics in Wandsworth, Clapham and Balham. Book a consultation to get started today!