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Crowns

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What is a dental crown?


A crown is an artificial cap that covers the remains of a natural tooth in order to restore strength and improve the appearance of the tooth.

Made from a variety of materials, including porcelain zirconia, gold alloy and porcelain fused to metal, crowns can last anywhere between 5 and 15 years with proper care.

When are dental crowns necessary?


A dental crown provides both cosmetic and functional solution to help improve the condition of your teeth.

Dental crowns are custom-made in line with a patient’s requirements and can be used for a variety of reasons, including:

• Improving the tooth’s aesthetic - offering a more natural appearance
• Covering up a damaged tooth or decayed tooth
• Concealing a severely stained or discoloured tooth
• Strengthening a damaged or weakened tooth
• Providing protection following root canal therapy
• Protecting and supporting a cracked tooth
• As a holding component for a dental bridge
• Covering a dental implant

Tooth decay is one of the most common reasons for fitting crowns, to help avoid tooth removal.

How are dental crowns fitted?


Before a dental crown can be fitted, there are several steps that must be followed before the final application stage.

Stage one: Consultation


The dental crown procedure is relatively straightforward.

Before making the final decision on getting a crown fitted, your dentist will explain the process and the implications of getting a crown. They will also determine whether you are suitable for receiving a dental crown, as your teeth may not be in the right condition.

If you have any dental decay or broken fillings, you may have to get additional treatments for this first before having a crown fitted.

Our specialist dental team will perform an x-ray and thorough assessment to establish whether the tooth is healthy enough to hold a crown. They will also determine if there are any additional complications that may affect the application of dental crowns.

Stage two: Preparation


To provide an accurate surface for the crown to be fitted, the natural tooth structure must be altered and prepared for application.

A dentist will administer a local anaesthetic to numb the area surrounding the tooth.

If you have any loose or missing fillings, the dentist will have to reconstruct the tooth to restore it to a shape that will accommodate the crown. Once this is complete, they will then take an impression to provide the perfect outline for the custom-made crown, ensuring that it is matched to the exact colour of your natural teeth.

This is then sent off to a specialised dental laboratory where it is constructed, and you will be provided with a provisional (temporary) crown until your permanent crown is ready.

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Stage three: Crown fitting


Once your permanent crown is sent back to the dentist from the dental lab, they will then arrange an appointment for your fitting, which should take around 20 to 40 minutes.

On the day of your crown fitting, you may be offered a local anaesthetic to numb the area – ensuring minimal pain and discomfort.

The temporary crown is then removed, and the remains of the natural tooth are cleaned to avoid a build-up of bacteria or infection in preparation for the new crown.

Before cementing the permanent crown in place, your dentist will double-check that the crown is the perfect fit by aligning it with the rest of your teeth and assessing your bite.

Once they are satisfied with the crown placement, they will then use dental cement on the inside of the crown and place it over the natural tooth.

Stage four: Recovery


There are two recovery stages. The first is after the temporary crown is fitted, which is when your tooth is most vulnerable. This is due to losing a large amount of enamel – however, temporary crowns act as protective barriers to ensure no damage is caused.

You will be required to wear the temporary crown for a couple of weeks, and you should avoid any chewy or sticky foods which may loosen the crown and expose the affected tooth. You should also refrain from eating these foods during the second recovery phase, which is within the first few days of getting your permanent tooth crown.

You should not feel any discomfort or sensitivity after your crown fitting. If you do, you should consult with our expert dental team, here at Kiln Lane Dental.

How to care for dental crowns


After a crown placement, you must follow your dentist’s instructions and practice good oral hygiene habits to keep your dental crowns and surrounding teeth in good condition.

This includes simple things like careful brushing twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush.

Flossing between your teeth, at least once a day, will prevent the build-up of plaque and ultimately improve your oral health. Using an antibacterial mouthwash will protect teeth from plaque and harmful bacteria, too.

If you grind or clench your teeth (bruxism), you’ll need to have your crowns checked at your routine dental check-ups to identify any signs of wear or damage. You may also need to wear a custom mouth guard at night – especially if you grind your teeth in your sleep.

Get in touch with Kiln Lane Dental


Here at Kiln Lane, our dental technicians are always on hand to help and will gladly answer your questions about the procedure.

If you’d like to know more about the different types of dental crowns available (i.e. temporary crowns, porcelain crowns, zirconia crowns, ceramic crowns, resin crowns, etc.), don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01744 25776 or email info@kilnlanedental.co.uk and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

ADDRESS
16 Kiln Lane, Dentons Green,
St Helens WA10 6AD
PHONE 01744 25776
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