Crowns
A crown is an artificial restoration that fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth. A crown is sometimes known as a
‘cap’. Crowns are an ideal restoration for teeth that have been broken,
have been weakened by decay or by a very large filling. A crown could be used for a number of other reasons, for instance:
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you may have discoloured fillings and would like to improve the appearance of the tooth. |
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you may have had a root filling which will need a crown to protect it, especially if the tooth is a molar or back tooth which becomes very weak and brittle after a root treatment and can fracture beyond restoration. |
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you may have damaged a tooth from a fall etc and there is not enough tooth to hold a filling in place. |
Here is a case where 2 teeth were heavily filled and were crumbling. In this case the crown acts as a "hard hat" protecting the tooth below whilst improving the look
Sometimes front teeth that have been root-treated are so weak that the crown is held in place with a post that fits into the root. These are known as post crowns.
Types of crown
Crowns can be made of a variety of different materials and new materials are continually being introduced. Some of the most popular options are listed below.
Porcelain bonded to precious metal: this is what most crowns are made from. A precious metal base is made and then porcelain is applied in layers over it.
Porcelain crowns: these crowns are made entirely out of porcelain and are not as strong as bonded crowns, but they can look very natural and are most often used for front teeth.
All-ceramic crowns: this modern technique offers a metal-free alternative, which can give the strength of a bonded crown and the appearance of a porcelain crown. Therefore it is suitable for use in all areas of the mouth.
Front teeth tend to be quite translucent and when using crowns with their opaque core it can be difficult to recreate the opalescence that natural teeth exhibit. There are new types of crowns available that are made from castable glass and have superior aesthetic properties. Ask your dentist for details and prices as these crowns command an increased laboratory fee