Crowns

What types of crowns are available?

Crowns are made from a variety of materials, such as metal, steel, ceramic and porcelain. Your dentist will review the different types with you and help you make an informed decision.

• Stainless steel: These prefabricated crowns are applied to both permanent and baby teeth. Stainless steel is normally used for crowning children's teeth because they are comparatively inexpensive and can be put on in a single visit.
• Metal: Made from cast gold or silver alloys, metal crowns require less tooth structure to be removed. They support normal biting and chewing and rarely experience wear-related damage.
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal: These crowns are porcelain with an inner metal casting. They have a high aesthetic value thanks to their natural appearance.
• Ceramic or porcelain crowns: Because they are naturally translucent, these crowns are both popular and cosmetically pleasing. They are an excellent choice for restoring front teeth.

What types of bridges are used?

There are many types of dental bridges, each made of different materials ([porcelain, ceramic) and suited for certain areas of the mouth and / or particular situations.

• Adhesive bridges: These bridges are attached to the inside of the surrounding teeth.
• Regular bridges: Conventional bridges are supported by the neighbouring teeth, which are shaped to support it before the bridge is cemented in place. These bridges can be made of tooth-coloured materials for a wholly natural effect.
• Resin-attached bridges: Normally applied to replace a single front tooth, these bridges are secured to an adjacent tooth using a resin-coated ‘wing’.
• Implant-retained bridges: These bridges restore missing teeth using dental implants.

How are crowns applied?

Before applying crowns, your dentist will:

• shape the affected tooth to accommodate the type of crown you will receive
• take a ceramic impression of the tooth and the ones above or below it to ensure that the crown will not hinder your bite
• send the impression to a dental lab together with instructions for making your crown
• place a temporary crown over your tooth to protect it from further damage and provide aesthetic appeal.

When your crown arrives from the lab, you will return to your dentist to have it fitted. Proper aftercare is very important: dental crowns can potentially develop decay around the edges or need to be re-attached periodically .

We will provide you with a much information as you need about your treatment options. Patients are welcome to call the office with any questions about crown application and care, or bring them to the next scheduled dental appointment.