Also known as a dental cap, a dental crown is a cover that is placed over a tooth to protect it from further damage. Dental crowns are usually made from porcelain or zirconia, and they offer both functional support and an aesthetically beautiful result.
What Are Dental Crowns Used For?
Crowns are used to provide protection from damage, and they are often used when there is not enough natural tooth left to support a filling. Dental caps can be used for teeth that are broken, chipped, stained or irregularly shaped. Weak teeth can be reinforced against from further damage by dental crowns.
Dental crowns can be used to address cosmetic concerns as well as provide a functional solution to teeth that are damaged.
A crown will be placed over a dental implant in the final stage of implant treatment, to ensure that the replaced tooth looks and feels like the others in your mouth.
What Can You Expect During The Dental Crown Procedure?
Your cap will probably require two visits to the dentist to finalise.
Your dentist will inspect the condition of your teeth and gums, and is likely to take an x-ray to establish if a dental crown will address your concerns. This will show your dentist if you have any decay below the gum line. Then, your dentist will need to make space in your mouth for the cap, by removing a thin layer of dental enamel and shaping your tooth to get it ready to receive the crown.
Once the crown is ready you will return to your dental practitioner for the fitting. You may need to wear a temporary crown while this happens. When your crown is fitted, your dentist will use dental cement for bonding it. It will need to be shaped and polished so that it fits in with the other teeth in your mouth.
What To Expect After Your Dental Crown Procedure?
When the procedure is complete, your treated tooth should look, work and feel just like a natural tooth and you shouldn’t experience any difference after some time. This means you can expect to bite and chew with the same force as your natural teeth.
Is The Dental Crown Procedure Painful?
Your cap will be finalised under anaesthetic to avoid any unnecessary pain and discomfort. You may feel some discomfort once the anaesthetic has worn off, but it should be manageable and wear off over time.
Do you still have questions about the dental crown procedure? It’s always best to speak to a professional. Please contact us for an appointment: (02) 6188 7293
