What Is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a cap placed on the top of a damaged tooth. Crowns are often used to protect and restore the shape of a tooth when a filling isn’t sufficient. Dental crowns help to restore function to a tooth that might be damaged, cracked, chipped or has just been worn down over time. 

During the dental crown procedure your dentist will reshape your damaged or decayed tooth and place a crown over the top of the tooth. The dental crown almost completely covers your existing tooth and on average lasts between five and fifteen years if cared for.

What is a Dental Crown?

A crown, sometimes known as a ‘cap’ is a cover that is placed over a worn, damaged or broken tooth, providing it with strength and protection.

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Crowns

What Are Dental Crowns Used For?

Crowns are commonly used for teeth that have been structurally compromised by a large cavity or root canal therapy. They are also recommended when more than 60% of the tooth is restored with a large filling. This will ensure the tooth is as strong as possible and avoid further damage to the tooth.

Crowns

What Are Dental Crowns For?

There are many reasons a person might need a dental crown. Tooth damage is one reason. Facial injuries can result in broken teeth. In this case a crown can be used to hold the broken parts together. Crowns aren’t only used for restoring broken teeth. With old age, teeth can become worn down from decades of use. A dental crown helps to restore functionality to a worn tooth. Dental crowns can also be used to hold a dental bridge in place or to cover severely misshapen teeth. They are also used to cover dental implants and teeth that have been treated with a root canal. 

Placing Crowns

How Do They Look?

Since the purpose of a dental crown is to restore the look and function of the teeth, it makes sense that dental crowns are designed to look just like your natural teeth. Crowns are often used for aesthetic reasons and help to improve the colour, shape and look of a tooth. 

After the procedure no one will be able to tell that you have had a dental crown fitted. Your dentist will take care to match the colour of your dental crown to the natural colour of your teeth. You won’t need to worry about having one tooth that looks fake or a brighter shade of white than the rest of your mouth. If you are interested in dental crowns for aesthetic reasons, book a dental consultation with our friendly team at Gentle Dental. Our dentists can give you a breakdown of the cost of a dental crown procedure.

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Materials

What Are Dental Crowns Made From?

Crowns can be made from many different materials, depending on your restorative, cosmetic or bite needs. Dental crowns are made from porcelain-fused-to-metal, alloy, gold, zirconia as well as ceramic-porcelain blends and resin. Dental crowns made from resin are usually more affordable, however they tend to wear faster and can break down more quickly than the other types of crowns.

Types of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are made from many different types of material. Metal crowns are a popular material for dentists to use as they are very strong, won’t chip or break, and are long wearing. There are several different types of metals used in metal dental crowns including gold, nickel, palladium and chrome. Metal crowns also only require a small amount of the tooth to be worn down before the crown is fitted over top. 

The main drawback of a metal crown is the colour. As the name suggests, metal crowns are not white. They are usually silver or gold, depending on the metal and are highly visible in the mouth. There is also a small risk of corrosion to the crown over time. These days, most dentists won’t use metal crowns at all, while some only use metal crowns on teeth at the back of the mouth. They are sometimes used on molars as they won’t really be seen. 

A more common alternative to metal crowns is porcelain-fused-to-metal. With these types of crowns, the patient gets the strength of a metal crown while also benefitting from the colour-matching properties of porcelain. These crowns can be used anywhere in the mouth and will blend in with the natural colour of your teeth. 

Composite crowns are another type of crowns popular with patients as they can be matched to the natural colour of your teeth. These dental crowns blend in naturally with your smile and will look and feel great. The composite materials used in these crowns make them stronger than other types. This also makes them a good option for using on the back teeth, where biting and grinding is more common than with front teeth.  

While composite crowns are a good option for the back of the mouth, there are a few reasons why dentists don’t often use them at the front of the mouth. They aren’t as natural-looking as porcelain crowns. Plus, the composite material means that they are more susceptible to stains than some other types of dental crowns. Small stains or discolorations aren’t noticeable on the back teeth. 

However, the teeth at the front of your mouth are highly visible and most patients want them to be as white as possible. Porcelain crowns are better for your front teeth because they blend more naturally with the colour of your teeth. They are also the most natural looking option and won’t look fake or bulky once they are fitted in your mouth.

After your dental crown procedure your dentist might fit you with a temporary crown. A temporary crown is used in place of the real thing while your crown of choice is made. Temporary crowns are usually quite delicate so it’s important that you take good care of your new tooth until your dentist fits you with a more permanent solution. It can take a few weeks for your crown to be made to your specifications. 

Temporary crowns are used to protect your natural tooth or the implant while your crown is made. They also help your smile to look normal without a gap, can limit tooth and gum sensitivity, help to maintain the proper amount of space between your teeth, help you chew and eat and help your dentist assess how your crown will function once it’s fitted. 

It’s likely your temporary crown will be in place for two to three weeks. You will be able to chew and eat with it in. However, it’s a good idea to avoid hard or sticky foods during this time. You should also take care of your temporary crown by cleaning it gently twice a day and avoid sugary foods during this time. Sugar can find its way under the edge of the crown and may cause decay.  

What to Expect During the Procedure

At your first appointment for a dental crown your dentist will file down your tooth on the top and sides so that it’s small enough to fit a crown. Then your dentist will take a mould of your tooth and the teeth on either side. This is so that the dental crown fits perfectly and doesn’t affect your bite. These impressions are sent away to a laboratory where your dental crown is made. As this takes a few weeks a temporary crown is placed on top of your freshly filed tooth. This temporary crown helps keep it protected and provides structure to your mouth and the neighbouring teeth. On the second visit your permanent crown will be fitted in place.

How Do You Care For a Dental Crown?

After your dental crown procedure your crown should last anywhere from five to fifteen years, depending on what type of material it is made from. Caring for a dental crown is a lot like caring for your regular teeth. You should brush your dental crown twice a day, floss between the neighbouring teeth each day and use a fluoride protectant toothpaste. The only real change you should make after being fitted with a dental crown is to your diet. Dental crowns are durable. However, they are still fused together with material that can come apart under stress. For this reason, it’s a good idea to avoid eating hard, sticky or chewy foods.

Types of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are made from many different types of material. Metal crowns are a popular material for dentists to use as they are very strong, won’t chip or break, and are long wearing. There are several different types of metals used in metal dental crowns including gold, nickel, palladium and chrome. Metal crowns also only require a small amount of the tooth to be worn down before the crown is fitted over top. 

The main drawback of a metal crown is the colour. As the name suggests, metal crowns are not white. They are usually silver or gold, depending on the metal and are highly visible in the mouth. There is also a small risk of corrosion to the crown over time. These days, most dentists won’t use metal crowns at all, while some only use metal crowns on teeth at the back of the mouth. They are sometimes used on molars as they won’t really be seen. 

A more common alternative to metal crowns is porcelain-fused-to-metal. With these types of crowns, the patient gets the strength of a metal crown while also benefitting from the colour-matching properties of porcelain. These crowns can be used anywhere in the mouth and will blend in with the natural colour of your teeth. 

Composite crowns are another type of crowns popular with patients as they can be matched to the natural colour of your teeth. These dental crowns blend in naturally with your smile and will look and feel great. The composite materials used in these crowns make them stronger than other types. This also makes them a good option for using on the back teeth, where biting and grinding is more common than with front teeth.  

While composite crowns are a good option for the back of the mouth, there are a few reasons why dentists don’t often use them at the front of the mouth. They aren’t as natural-looking as porcelain crowns. Plus, the composite material means that they are more susceptible to stains than some other types of dental crowns. Small stains or discolorations aren’t noticeable on the back teeth. 

However, the teeth at the front of your mouth are highly visible and most patients want them to be as white as possible. Porcelain crowns are better for your front teeth because they blend more naturally with the colour of your teeth. They are also the most natural looking option and won’t look fake or bulky once they are fitted in your mouth.

After your dental crown procedure your dentist might fit you with a temporary crown. A temporary crown is used in place of the real thing while your crown of choice is made. Temporary crowns are usually quite delicate so it’s important that you take good care of your new tooth until your dentist fits you with a more permanent solution. It can take a few weeks for your crown to be made to your specifications. 

Temporary crowns are used to protect your natural tooth or the implant while your crown is made. They also help your smile to look normal without a gap, can limit tooth and gum sensitivity, help to maintain the proper amount of space between your teeth, help you chew and eat and help your dentist assess how your crown will function once it’s fitted. 

It’s likely your temporary crown will be in place for two to three weeks. You will be able to chew and eat with it in. However, it’s a good idea to avoid hard or sticky foods during this time. You should also take care of your temporary crown by cleaning it gently twice a day and avoid sugary foods during this time. Sugar can find its way under the edge of the crown and may cause decay.  

What to Expect During the Procedure

At your first appointment for a dental crown your dentist will file down your tooth on the top and sides so that it’s small enough to fit a crown. Then your dentist will take a mould of your tooth and the teeth on either side. This is so that the dental crown fits perfectly and doesn’t affect your bite. These impressions are sent away to a laboratory where your dental crown is made. As this takes a few weeks a temporary crown is placed on top of your freshly filed tooth. This temporary crown helps keep it protected and provides structure to your mouth and the neighbouring teeth. On the second visit your permanent crown will be fitted in place.

How Do You Care For a Dental Crown?

After your dental crown procedure your crown should last anywhere from five to fifteen years, depending on what type of material it is made from. Caring for a dental crown is a lot like caring for your regular teeth. You should brush your dental crown twice a day, floss between the neighbouring teeth each day and use a fluoride protectant toothpaste. The only real change you should make after being fitted with a dental crown is to your diet. Dental crowns are durable. However, they are still fused together with material that can come apart under stress. For this reason, it’s a good idea to avoid eating hard, sticky or chewy foods.

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Learn more about dental restoration and how to care for your teeth from our latest blog posts.

FAQs

Dental crowns are used in aesthetic, preventative and restorative dentistry. A dental crown may be needed to protect a weak tooth. In this instance a dentist will use a dental crown to prevent a fractured, weak, or decayed tooth from fragmenting. Dental crowns can also be used to restore a tooth that is severely worn down. Worn teeth can affect your bite and provide less structure to the teeth next to them. Dental crowns are also used to support teeth that have a large filling, support a dental bridge or cover a dental implant or a misshapen or discoloured tooth.

The lifespan of a dental crown depends on the material it is made from, how much wear and tear it is exposed to and how well the wearer looks after their teeth. Most dental crowns last between five and fifteen years. Porcelain and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can last up to fifteen years when cared for, while metal crowns can last even longer — sometimes for the lifespan of the tooth. Your oral health and general lifestyle habits will impact how long a dental crown will last. Grinding and clenching your teeth and jaw will wear down dental crowns. Brushing and flossing daily and regular dental checkups will help improve your oral hygiene and the lifespan of your dental crown.

Not necessarily. Crowned teeth look and act just like your natural teeth. However, there are some rules that are worth abiding by to extend the life of your crown. Just like natural teeth, teeth with dental crowns can chip and some crown materials are more susceptible than others to breaking. Avoiding hard or sticky foods, at least on the side of your crown, can help you avoid chips or fractures. Although dental crowns cover most of your natural tooth, the bottom of your tooth and the surrounding gums are still susceptible to bacteria and decay. Brushing twice a day and flossing in between your crowned tooth and natural teeth will ensure your whole mouth stays healthy.

Yes. Dental crowns and dental caps are the same thing. Dental caps are an older term that is not used in dentistry anymore. Most dentists use the name dental crowns. There are a few different types of dental crowns. As well as differing materials, temporary crowns, onlays and ¾ crowns are all variations of dental crowns available. In some cases a full dental crown is not needed to keep the natural tooth protected. Onlays and ¾ crowns cover less of the natural tooth than full dental crowns. Your dentist will tell you what type of dental crown they recommend and their reasons for choosing that type of crown.

Yes. In some cases dental crowns can be repaired if they are damaged. While dental crowns are designed to last for years and in some cases decades, like natural teeth they can still be damaged. Injury, a fall, chewing hard or sticky foods, teeth grinding, and even regular wear and tear can cause dental crowns to break. The best thing to do if you experience a chip or break to your dental crown is to book an appointment with Gentle Dental. We have emergency dental appointments available for these types of scenarios. Our friendly team of dentists will be able to assess the damage and repair or replace your crown.

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