What is a crown?
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’.
Why would I need a crown?
Crowns are an ideal restoration for teeth that have
been broken, or have been weakened by decay or a very
large filling. A crown could be used for a number of
other reasons, for instance:
- you may have discoloured fillings and would
like to improve the appearance of the tooth
- you
may have had a root filling which will need a crown
to protect it
- it may help hold a bridge or
denture firmly in place.
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: 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.
Porcelain and composite: porcelain and composite resin
materials can sometimes look the most natural. However,
these crowns are not as strong as bonded metal crowns.
Glass: these crowns look very natural and are used on
both front and back teeth.
Gold alloy 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 white or gold in colour.
Will the crown be noticeable?
No. The crown will be made to match your other teeth
exactly. The shade of the neighbouring teeth will be
recorded, to make sure that the colour looks natural
and matches the surrounding teeth.
How long will the crown last?
Properly cared for crowns should last for many years.
Your dentist will be able to tell you how long the crown
may be expected to last.
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