Dental Crowns.

A full dental crown completely covers or ‘caps’ a tooth or dental implant. Crowns are often needed when a large cavity poses a threat to the continued health of a tooth. They are usually bonded to the tooth using dental cement.

Crowns can be made from many materials. Choices of materials range from full metal, metal and porcelain and full porcelain. Each type of crown comes with their own set of indications and contraindications.

What is a dental crown procedure?

Getting a crown placed isn’t complex. We will prepare and take a record of the tooth. This is what they use to construct the crown. Between the stages of preparing a tooth for a crown and final placement of the crown, a temporary crown is often cemented to protect the tooth.

What dental crown material is best?

Crowns are most commonly made from highly strengthened porcelain and also other materials such as Gold or hardened plastic.

What are the alternatives to dental crowns?

While crowns are ideal for most dental patients, there are alternatives available.

While extracting a damaged tooth is considered to be an alternative, this is not a preferred option as teeth were designed to last a lifetime. The list below includes some of the most commonly used dental crown alternatives.

Inlays

An inlay can be compared to a dental filling, as they are also used to help restore the inside of a damaged tooth. Inlays do not include treating the cusps of a tooth and instead are only placed inside of a tooth. While dental fillings are commonly used to treat teeth, inlays are necessary when a tooth includes a lot of damage due to decay or an injury. Like dental crowns, inlays help keep a tooth intact so it can once again function as intended.

Onlays

Onlays can often be used instead of dental crowns and is a restoration option that tends to preserve more of the structure of the natural tooth. This makes onlays a less invasive treatment option. Since onlays are made using porcelain or a composite resin, they not only help make teeth stronger, they also offer a natural-looking appearance. Onlays are very similar to inlays, except that onlays are also placed on the cusps of the teeth.

Veneers

Dental veneers, also commonly called porcelain veneers, are an alternative to dental crowns, however they are commonly used for teeth that are located in the front of the mouth. Because veneers are made using thin shells of porcelain, they end up being a better option for the front teeth. This alternative option is ideal for dental patients who have chipped teeth, worn down teeth and discoloured teeth. Veneers are similar to dental crowns, as they also cover the teeth and are bonded in order to improve the strength and/or improve the cosmetics of the tooth.

After-care for crowns

Temporary dental crown aftercare 

By definition, a temporary dental crown is designed to come out at some point. 

As such, temporary dental crown aftercare is largely about treating the crown with care and avoiding activities that could dislodge it:

• Chew on the other side of your mouth

• Avoid hard and very crunchy foods

• Avoid very sticky or chewy foods

• Be careful when flossing that the floss does not get under the edge of the crown

Permanent dental crown aftercare

Aftercare for permanent dental crowns starts immediately after the procedure. For the first 24-48 hours you should continue to treat the crown as if it were temporary – avoiding sticky and chewy foods, and other actions that might dislodge it.

Beyond that time, the crown should be cemented firmly into place and you can start to treat it as you would if it were a natural tooth.

You may still experience some sensitivity in your gum around the crown, but this will usually fade over the first few weeks – consult your dentist if you have lasting discomfort that does not seem to be improving over time.