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Crowns
Crowns are dental restorations otherwise known as "caps" which are coverings that fit over teeth. Crowns may be necessary because of broken down old fillings, fractured, chipped or sensitive teeth. Crowns are also used to improve the appearance of natural teeth that are unsightly, crooked or discoloured.
Some of the indications for a crown are:
- A previously filled tooth where there now exists more filling than tooth. The existing tooth structure becomes weakened and can no longer support the filling.
- Extensive damage by decay.
- Discolorations and compromised aesthetics.
- Fractures
- Root canal - After root canal, teeth tend to become brittle and are more apt to fracture. These teeth need to be protected by a crown.
- Bridges - When missing teeth are replaced with a bridge, the adjacent teeth require crowns in order to support the replacement teeth.
Crowns can be made from different materials which include the full porcelain crown, the porcelain fused-to-metal crown and the all-metal crown. You and the dentist will decide which type is appropriate, depending upon the strength requirements and aesthetic concerns of the tooth involved.
The dentist may use a local anesthetic to numb the area. He will then contour the tooth so that, with the crown, it will be the same size as a normal tooth.
The dentist may need to root fill the tooth first- this is sometimes called "removing the nerve". He will use soft, moldable material to make a precise "impression" of the tooth to be crowned and the nearby teeth. He will then send it to the lab where the dental technician will use this impression to design the crown.
The dentist will fit a temporary crown made of plastic or metal over the tooth until the permanent crown is made. You can chew on a temporary crown but it won't be as strong as the finished one.
When the dentist fits the permanent crown, he may make small adjustments to ensure everything is perfect. He will make you try on the crown first and then 'glue' it into place.
Crowns strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and can improve the appearance of your teeth as the colour and shape can be matched to your own teeth and used to mask unsightly, crooked or discoloured teeth.
Depending on the strength of the tooth underneath, a crown can last for many years.
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