If you’ve had a dental drama and you need an effective remedy, a protective crown could be just the ticket. Crowns are restorations used to strengthen and make the teeth more resilient following infection, injury or an accident.

The ins and outs of crown treatment

Crowns are sometimes called caps because they are placed over the top of the tooth. They cover the entire external surface of the tooth and serve to protect weakened tooth from further damage. Crowns are commonly made from ceramics but they can also be manufactured using precious metals. Many people choose porcelain crowns because they blend in with the natural teeth for a seamless aesthetic.

You may be advised to have a crown if you have had a large filling in the past, have suffered extensive damage in an injury or  have a tooth infection that requires root canal treatment. We can also attach crowns to dental implants in order to create a new tooth to replace a gap in the smile.

Crown treatment can usually be completed in just two sessions: one to prepare the tooth and make the impression and one to fit the crown. Preparing the tooth involves removing any decayed or damaged tooth structure and shaping the tooth in preparation for the new crown. Once the tooth is ready, an impression is made using dental putty and this is sent to the laboratory to act as a mould for the new crown. The crown can then be made and returned to us. We usually fit the new crown around two weeks after the first session.

Once the crown is in place, we will check it at every routine dental appointment and if you have any troubles, just simply call and book an appointment. Crowns are hard-wearing, but they are susceptible to damage just like natural teeth, so it’s really important to take good care of them.