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A crown is used to completely cover a weak tooth above the gum line, in order to protect it. They are made of
either metal or porcelain, but in cases when the crown has to be made stronger, it will be made out of porcelain with metal inside.
- Your dentist will normally perform this treatment under a local anaesthetic to numb the area around the tooth
- Your dentist will then shape the tooth to ensure that, with the crown, it will be the same size as a normal tooth
- The preparation time will vary according to the extent to which the tooth is damaged and whether it needs to be built up with a filling before the crown is fitted
- The tooth might have to be root-filled first. If there is a lot of tooth missing, the crown is sometimes held in place by a peg in the root canal
- A dentist will then take an exact 'impression' of the tooth that is to be crowned and the surrounding teeth, using a soft, mouldable material. An impression is used to ensure that the crown is the exact height and size required. Your dentist may use a thin cord to hold the gum away from the tooth, to make sure that the impression is accurate round the edges
- A temporary crown will be put over the tooth until the crown is made. This will either be made of plastic or metal. Although, you will be able to chew on a temporary crown, it will not be as strong as the finished crown
- Before the crown is glued into place, your dentist will ask you to try it on first. This is to ensure that you can bite comfortably and to identify whether any small adjustments need to be made
- The colour and shape of the crown can be matched to your own teeth, enabling it to look and feel exactly like a natural tooth. They can also be used to improve the appearance of teeth that have been broken or discoloured
- A crown can last for many years, if your teeth and mouth are looked after and the crown is not accidentally damaged. It is also dependant on the strength of the tooth underneath
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Crowns