Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are an excellent, durable option for improving the strength and appearance of unsightly, broken or heavily restored teeth.

A dental crown replaces the outside layer of a tooth. It acts like a helmet to protect and hold together a tooth that has been weakened by decay, large fillings, fractures or root canal therapy. In some cases, multiple crowns can be used to replace worn teeth and put them back into a healthy bite.

When do I need a crown?

Crowns are recommended to solve the following dental situations:

• Restoring the look and function to a tooth that has a lot of tooth structure missing
• Protect and strengthen a tooth that has been weakened by decay
• Repair fractured or severely worn out tooth
• Replace a decayed or fractured tooth that does not have enough sound tooth left to support a normal filling
• Correct discoloured or misshapen tooth that lacks the structural integrity for a veneer or cosmetic filling
• Prosthetic tooth for an implant
• Help anchor a dental bridge – See more about bridges here.

What is the procedure for Crowns like?

Crowns need two appointments to be completed. In your first appointment, all visible surfaces of the tooth are shaved down to make room for the crown. An impression is taken on the tooth and sent to our dental laboratory for the crown construction. A temporary crown is placed to last until the the real crown can be placed. At your next appointment in one to two weeks the crown is cemented onto the tooth.

If you are missing teeth, the teeth on either side of the gap can be crowned and a bridge can be attached to give the appearance of teeth where there is none. Find out more about bridges here.

Types of Crowns

Porcelain Crowns

Crowns are often made of porcelain or porcelain fused to metal and can be matched in shade and colour to the surrounding teeth. Once in place, these look and feel just like natural teeth and need to be cared for in the same way.

Gold or Metal Crowns

Alternatively, crowns can also be made from gold or other metal alloys. While metallic crowns may not look as natural as porcelain ones, they are more durable and at the same time less damaging to the opposing teeth. In addition, metallic crowns can be made thinner and so require less tooth to be removed, making them more conservative. As with all dental procedures, every case is unique and we will be sure to asses your specific situation and discuss with you your best options.

At Balmoral Dental Centre we can give you all the information you need for your particular situation, so book an appointment here or call us today on  (07) 3113 9789.