Sometimes, our Surrey dentists will use a dental crown to restore the appearance and functionality of a damaged tooth. But were you aware that not all damaged teeth need a crown? In this post, we explain how we find out whether a crown might be your best option.
What are dental crowns?
Several types of tooth replacement can be used to encase a tooth's entire surface, restoring it to its original shape and size. Also known as a cap, crowns are highly durable dental restorations custom-made to match the size, shape and colour of the tooth, leaving you with a natural, long-lasting smile. Tooth-coloured porcelain crowns are the most popular.
When is a dental crown my best option?
Our dentists may recommend a dental crown if you have one of these:
- Discoloured teeth that would not improve with teeth whitening
- Large cavities that your dentist is unable to repair with a dental filling
- Fractured fillings
- Cracked or weakened teeth that need reinforcement
- Misshapen teeth that need concealing
- Dental implants that need a tooth replacement to cover them
- Dental bridge that requires support
- Tooth that has had a root canal
- Decayed or broken teeth that need to be restored
The Procedure
A typical dental crown procedure will require two visits to our dental office. At your first visit, you'll receive a local anesthetic from your dentist. The damaged teeth will be filed down, allowing room for the crown to be placed on top. An impression will then be made and used to create your restoration, which will then be custom-fitted to your tooth.
You'll have a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready. When the dentist removes the temporary restoration, the permanent dental crown will be cemented into place.