A crown is a tooth shaped cap which covers or fits over the remaining structure of your natural tooth to protect and restore the tooth’s function.
A crown is usually needed when the strength of the tooth is weakened by:
-Decay to a large portion of the tooth
-Large existing filling which is breaking down
-Root canal treatment
-Crack cusp syndrome or deep cracks in the tooth due to grinding or old metal fillings
Crowns can be made from Porcelain, Metal or Resin. The material of choice depends on the use, the position and the patient’s biting habits.
The procedure involves two appointments. In the first appointment, photos are taken, then the tooth is prepared to a cylindrical shape. An impression or a scan will be taken then a temporary crown will be placed to protect the tooth while the ceramic crown is being made. The scan or impression is sent to our Master Ceramist who will create a life like sculpture of a crown mimicking the translucency and colour of a natural tooth.
In the second appointment, the temporary crown is removed and the new ceramic crown is tried in to make sure it is fitted correctly, then the shape and colour is checked. After both the patient and the dentist are happy with the result, the crown is cemented in place with a special cement (glue). The bite is checked and any minor adjustments are made.
A Bridge is used to replace a missing tooth. Crowns are placed on the two adjacent teeth to help support the missing tooth called a Pontic. The three unit ceramic restoration is called a Bridge. It is constructed and fitted the same way as a crown.
