Dental Crown
What is a crown?A Dental Crown is a custom-made covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size.
Why would I need a crown?
What is a crown made of?
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. A precious metal base is made and then porcelain is applied in layers over it. This is a very strong type of crown.
All Porcelain crowns: these crowns are made entirely out of porcelain. They look very natural .
Gold crowns: gold is one of the oldest filling materials. Today it is used with other metal alloys to increase its strength, which makes it a very hardwearing restoration. These crowns are gold in colour.
What is a post crown?
In root-filled teeth it may be necessary to insert a post before placing a crown. A post provides support and helps the crown stay in place. The weakened crown of the tooth may be shortened to gum level.
Dr. O'Neill will discuss the different types of crowns with you and which will be the best option for you.
- Crowns can be used to restore teeth which have broken or been weakened by decay or large fillings.
- Crowns can be used to improve the appearance of a discoloured tooth.
- Crowns can be used to protect the remaining tooth structure of a tooth which has been root canal treated.
- Crowns can be used to hold a bridge or a denture or to fill a space over an implant.
What is a crown made of?
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. A precious metal base is made and then porcelain is applied in layers over it. This is a very strong type of crown.
All Porcelain crowns: these crowns are made entirely out of porcelain. They look very natural .
Gold crowns: gold is one of the oldest filling materials. Today it is used with other metal alloys to increase its strength, which makes it a very hardwearing restoration. These crowns are gold in colour.
What is a post crown?
In root-filled teeth it may be necessary to insert a post before placing a crown. A post provides support and helps the crown stay in place. The weakened crown of the tooth may be shortened to gum level.
Dr. O'Neill will discuss the different types of crowns with you and which will be the best option for you.
Why should I replace a missing tooth
- Your appearance is one reason.
- The gap left by a missing tooth can mean greater strain is put on the teeth at either side.
- A gap can also mean your "bite" is affected, because the teeth next to the space can lean into the gap and alter the way the upper and lower teeth bite together. This can then lead to food getting packed into the gap, which causes both decay and gum disease.
How to replace missing teeth
This depends on the number of teeth missing and on where they are in the mouth. The condition of the other teeth also affects the decision.
There are two main options to replace the missing tooth. The first is with a removable false tooth or teeth - a partial denture. The second is with a fixed bridge or an implant. A bridge is usually used where there are fewer teeth to replace, or when the missing teeth are only on one side of the mouth.
There are two main options to replace the missing tooth. The first is with a removable false tooth or teeth - a partial denture. The second is with a fixed bridge or an implant. A bridge is usually used where there are fewer teeth to replace, or when the missing teeth are only on one side of the mouth.
Removable Partial Denture
Removal partial dentures can be made from acrylic only, or a combination of metal (usually cobalt chrome or titanium) and acrylic or from flexible nylon resin. Here at our practice we provide all three types of dentures and we will be happy to discuss with you what best suits your needs.
A Fixed Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is composed of one or two dental crowns and one or more false teeth. Dental bridges attach to one or more teeth surrounding a gap and are attached to one or more false teeth which fill the gap.
A Dental Implant
Dental implants are made from a precious metal called titanium. Dental implants are like artificial roots that are placed into the jaw bone to replace one or more missing teeth. Porcelain crowns, bridges, and dentures can be made specifically to fit and attach to implants.