Dental crowns
Dental crowns are a discreet way of restoring your smile if you are suffering from damaged, broken or weakened teeth. Not only do they repair damages, they also strengthen your teeth, preventing any further damage. Crowns for teeth are made from a variety of materials, although our Lavender Road dentists recommend porcelain crowns over metal as they are the most natural looking and will blend in with the rest of your teeth.
Generally, ceramic crowns are used for the front of the mouth, while teeth further back may be gold, but more recently manufactured ceramic crowns are strong enough for use anywhere in the mouth and are more natural looking.
Dental crowns are custom-made caps that sit over a damaged or weakened tooth. They restore the tooth’s shape, strength and function, while also improving its appearance. Crowns are often used to protect teeth that are cracked or heavily filled, and they are commonly placed after root canal treatment to help keep the tooth strong and sealed.
Crowns act as a protective cover for your remaining natural tooth, helping to reduce the risk of further damage.
Your dentist may recommend a crown if:
Dental crown treatment is usually carried out over two appointments.
At your first visit, your dentist will gently reshape the tooth so the crown can fit comfortably and securely. A digital scan or impression will then be taken and sent to a dental laboratory, where your custom crown is made. A temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth while you wait for your final crown, which usually takes around two weeks.
At your second appointment, the temporary crown is removed and your permanent crown is carefully fitted and bonded in place. Local anaesthetic can be used to ensure you remain comfortable during treatment.
Crowns can be made from a range of materials. Your dentist will advise which material is most suitable for you. Tooth-coloured crowns are commonly chosen as they blend naturally with the rest of your smile.
With good dental hygiene and regular dental health check-ups, crowns typically last between five and 15 years. Habits such as teeth grinding or clenching can put extra pressure on a crown and may shorten its lifespan. If you grind your teeth, your dentist may recommend a mouthguard to help protect your crown.
You can care for your crown in the same way as your natural teeth:
If you think you may need a dental crown or would like to find out more, please contact Capel Dental Care in Carmarthen to book a consultation.
The tooth might have to be root-filled first – this is sometimes called ‘removing the nerve’. The crown is sometimes held in place by a peg in the root canal if a lot of the tooth is missing.
We use a soft mouldable material to make an exact impression of the tooth that is to be crowned and the nearby teeth. Our dental technician uses the impressions to make the crown the exact size needed.
A temporary crown made of plastic or metal is put 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 crown is ready, the temporary one is removed and the permanent one put it its place. We will make small adjustments to make sure you can bite comfortably.
Treatments
If you have been experiencing severe tooth pain, it is possible that you may require root canal treatment. Your Lavender Dental & Implant Clinic dentist can treat your tooth without the need to remove it, leaving you pain-free and in good oral health.
Treatments
When your tooth shows signs of decay, your Lavender Dental & Implant Clinic dentist can help to stop it before any further damage is caused. Fillings are applied to small and developing cavities to restore your tooth back to health.
