Of the many cosmetic and general dental treatments to restore your smile, dental crowns are one of the most common, yet also one of the least understood treatments.
Not only do dental crowns improve your appearance, they also improve the function of your teeth, especially if they are broken or decayed. Restoring your teeth also helps to support the teeth either side and keep them in place.
Here’s a quick rundown on what dental crowns are, and how they work to improve your smile.
What is a Dental Crown?
To put it simply, dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that fit over broken or damaged teeth. They are custom made to look like your natural teeth and once fitted they are cemented onto your modified existing tooth, or an implant post.
You’ve probably admired the smiles of many people with dental crowns without even realising it.
The crowns last for many years, perhaps ten or longer, but can be replaced if damaged or at the end of their life.
Why Would I Need a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are very versatile, which is why they are one of the most common and popular dental treatments.
You can have dental crowns to cover damaged or decayed teeth, to cover a tooth that’s had a root canal treatment, to protect a cracked tooth from further damage, to cap off an implant, or combined to create a dental bridge if you have several missing teeth in a row.
In short, dental crowns are used to cover and support your teeth, and protect them while restoring the shape and alignment.
The Procedure
To prepare the damaged tooth for a dental crown it must be shaped, and much of the damaged or decayed part removed with specials tools to make room for the crown to fit over it.
Sometimes there’s not enough of the original tooth left so it must be built up to make a solid seating for the crown.
The dental crown itself is made from very strong and durable material so it lasts well with all that chewing and biting. An impression of the tooth is sent to a dental laboratory and the crown is custom made to look just like your real teeth.
Your dentist will then firmly cement the crown over your tooth to completely cover it.
Most crowns are made from ceramic or porcelain fused to metal, but you can choose gold or alloy dental crowns.
North Lakes Dental Clinic
At Mango Hill Dental we’re Brisbane’s smile perfectionists and our friendly team is dedicated to making you look and feel beautiful with a dazzling smile and white, healthy teeth.
We can fix or maintain your smile with a full range of affordable and life changing preventative, general and cosmetic dental treatments to give you the confidence to take on anything life offers you.
Call us on 07 3482 2209 to make an appointment for a consultation, or for more information about our dental services.