A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a damaged tooth. Crowns at Plaza Health are custom made to match the other teeth in your mouth. At Plaza Health we never use ready made crowns.
Why is a Dental Crown Needed?
A crown could be needed for the following dental problems:
- To protect a tooth that might be cracked or chipped
- To protect a broken tooth
- To protect a tooth with heavy wear
- To cover a large filling
- To replace a tooth that has a poor shape or appearance
- To replace a tooth with poor colouring
- To sit on top of a dental implant.
What Types of Crowns Are Available?
Dental crowns can be made from stainless steel or gold. They are then covered in porcelain to look like natural teeth.
- Temporary crowns are prefabricated crowns that are used while your permanent crown is being made. Typically these are used on dental implants
- The metals used in crowns include surgical steel and gold. These materials are used because they are strong and porcelain bonds well onto them
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns are colour matched to your natural teeth colour. The crown’s porcelain can chip but it is normally very strong
- All-resin plastic dental crowns are cheaper than crown, but they do tend to wear more quickly and can develop deep fractures.
- All-ceramic dental crowns provide the best colour match and are perfect for your front teeth.
What Steps Are Involved in Preparing a Tooth for a Crown?
Getting ready for a crown normally needs two visits. The first visit involves examining and preparing the tooth, the second involves placement of the dental crown.
1st visit: Crown prep
At the first appointment the Plaza Health Cosmetic Dentist will take full dental records of your mouth. This includes photos, x rays and moulds of your teeth. He will also check the health of your mouth to ascertain if you are a suitable patient for a dental crown.
Your mouth will be numbed with anaesthetic and then he will begin work. The tooth that will be crowned will be reshaped to make room for crowning.
If a lot of tooth material has to be removed he may place a post in the centre of the tooth for the crown to be cemented onto.
Often a temporary crown is placed in the area to protect the tooth while the permanent crown is being manufactured.
We will do a colour match t ensure that the tooth matches the colour off your other teeth and the technician will look at your other teeth to make sure that the size and shape matches your other teeth.
2nd visit: Fitting the permanent dental crown
At the second appointment The Plaza Health Cosmetic Dentist will remove the temporary crown and check the fit and colour of the new permanent crown. It will then be fitted under local anaesthetic using dental cement.
How Should I Care for My Temporary Dental Crown?
You will need to be careful with your temporary crown, they are not robust like a normal tooth or crown.
- Avoid chewy and sticky foods- they could pull your temporary crown away
- Minimise chewing on that side of your mouth
- Avoid chewing hard foods, they can dislodge or break the crown
- Be careful when flossing and brushing.
What are the potential problems with crowns?
- our new crown may be sensitive immediately after the procedure, but that should ease up in time. You may want to use a sensitive teeth toothpaste
- Crowns made of all porcelain can sometimes chip. Small chips can be fixed but large chips might require a new crown
- Sometimes the cement that’s glues the crown into place can wash away over time. This can lead to damage and decay. So contact your dentist immediately
- Sometimes crowns fall out. This could be because of cement washing away or because of decay under the crown.
- Because crowns are made of metal, you can develop an allergic reaction to them
- If you suffer from receding gums, a dark line might become visible at the bottom of the crown. This is where you have lost gum tissue.
How long do dental crowns last?
Dental crowns can last between 5-15 years. The life of crown depends on your oral hygiene, what you chew and if you grind your teeth.
Do crowns need special care?
Treat it like a normal tooth, brush, floss and a good mouthwash is all you need.
How Much Do Crowns Cost?
Crowns at Plaza Health are custom made for each patient. We never use cheap, mass made off the shelf crowns. Crowns cost from €950.
Ready to take the next step? Our Dentists at Plaza Health located in the heart of Dublin are here to help.
Book a consultation today.
You can book online or give us a call on 01 444 0709
