A crown sits over a tooth that may have been broken or weakened and serves to return the tooth to its former strength and natural shape. If you are missing one or more teeth, a bridge may be fitted to stop the surrounding teeth from moving out of place and will be anchored by one or more crowns to restore appearance and function.
Dental caps are exactly the same as crowns and bridges and are the more commonly used term amongst the general public. Dental caps are often spoken about in the media; however, the official term is a crown or a bridge, so you will be unlikely to find any dentist referring to them as caps!
When we make crowns for your front teeth, generally speaking, appearance is the most important factor. One of the problems that is faced with dental crowns is finding a material that is strong and resilient enough to last in the oral environment with the constant impact and use that your teeth get.
The issue is one of the transmission and reflection of light through the dental crown. We need to use a material that exhibits the same transmission and reflection of light as a natural tooth; if we do not, then the crown will look different from its surrounding natural teeth.
In years past, gold alloys were used for dental crowns. The existing tooth was reduced down to a stump, a gold alloy thimble was made over the top, and then highly aesthetic dental ceramic was applied to make the crown look like the natural teeth. This technique is still used extensively today, and the results are often excellent.
The problem with this type of porcelain fused to a metal crown is, again, one of the transmission and reflection of light; clearly, light cannot pass through the metal, so it is reflected back. This has the tendency to make the crown look brighter. It certainly is possible to make this type of crown look fantastic. However, a highly skilled dental technician is always required to work closely with the dentist to ensure that the result is perfect.
In more recent years, metal-free crowns have become more popular, especially with the advent of materials like zirconia, which are used extensively in general surgery for the replacement of hips. Zirconia crowns can often be more expensive to manufacture than porcelain fused metal crowns, and some research shows that they may not be quite as resilient.
However, overall, all metal-free crowns are far better to use in the front teeth area due to their natural light-reflecting and transmitting properties, which make them similar to natural teeth.
The procedure for making a dental crown would normally be as follows:
Of course, each dental practice and dentist in London will have a slightly different procedure for their dental crowns. However, they will all have at least the minimum steps laid out above.
As dental crowns have been in common use since the 1960s, they have had a considerable amount of research, testing, and trialling and have proved themselves over and over to be an excellent choice for restoring a broken tooth. Dental crowns can be problematic in the following areas:
Aesthetic and functional problems with dental crowns can almost always be noticed at the initial fitting stage. So when you go to the dentist and have a crown fitted, you need to make sure that it is comfortable with your surrounding teeth and blends in, looking great. Once the crown is fitted, it is often almost impossible to remove it again, so this really is the opportunity for you to tell the dentist your honest opinion.
The longevity of dental crowns is down to the precision of their original manufacture and your ability to look after your teeth. You need to continue to brush your teeth and floss between them, taking special care to ensure that the tooth/crown margin is kept clean.
The secret to hiding this grey line is to have either a metal-free crown or for the dentist to be especially careful about how he prepares the tooth to accept the crown, ensuring that no metal is showing.
Many people say that they do not want a dental crown due to the grey line that is often noticeable. This grey line is caused by two things:
However, even if the dentist designs the crown like this in the first place, with any metal hidden underneath the gum, as you get older, your gum has a tendency to resorb and pull away from the teeth-this can mean that over time, any metal edge to a crown becomes more visible. We suggest you discuss this with your dentist prior to having your crown manufactured.
As a comprehensive dental centre, we provide a full range of treatments, from general dentistry, like check-ups, fillings, and tooth extractions, to restorative treatments, like crowns, bridges, and dental implants and cosmetic treatments, like teeth whitening and dental veneers.
Absolutely! First and foremost, we’re a family dentist, so we’re highly accomplished in dealing with young children. Our team understands the importance of creating a good first impression and will do everything possible to ensure your child leaves with a positive experience.
We’re based in Spalding, Lincolnshire, but we regularly see patients from the surrounding villages and the wider areas of Bourne, Boston, and Holbeach. Whatever area you reside in, feel free to contact us for an appointment.
Yes. We aim to keep some slots free each day for emergency appointments, so if you are in any pain or discomfort and need a same-day appointment, give us a call, and we’ll do all we can to accommodate you.
