Dentistry
Crowns
What is a Tooth Crown?
A dental crown is also often called a cap – which gives you a pretty good idea of its shape and function. The reasons for fitting a crown are various and may include:
-strengthening a weak tooth,
-replacing a large filling where there is not enough original dental material to fill the tooth effectively,
-restoring a damaged tooth,
-attaching a bridge or holding a denture in place,
-covering a dental implant,
-restoring the appearance and function of a damaged or poorly shaped tooth,
‘capping’ a tooth that has had root canal treatment.
Why would my dentist recommend a crown?
Crowns can be aesthetic – to improve appearance and therefore enhance self-esteem, or practical – to improve function, so helping with eating and other functions of the mouth. In both cases, a dentist may suggest a crown is the best long-term solution to dental problems.
Aesthetic crowns may be made of porcelain or ceramic, carefully shaded to match your natural tooth colour. Functional crowns are often fitted to the rear teeth which do most of the work of chewing and grinding and are often constructed of metal or acrylic which is stronger. Expert dental input helps you to choose the best material for your crown, to guarantee it does the job required and looks good at the same time.
How is a crown fitted?
Dentists determine the right size and shape of the crown and prepare the tooth so that it will hold the crown in place. This usually involves reducing the size of the tooth so the crown can be fitted over it, and taking one or more impressions of the tooth so that the replacement crown can be exactly the right size and dimensions. A temporary crown is generally fitted while your personalised permanent crown is being made. When the permanent crown is ready, a dentist fits it onto the tooth using a special cement that holds it securely in place and forms a seal to protect the tooth from any exposure to bacteria.
Once a crown is in place, it can be treated in exactly the same way as a standard tooth.
Why are Alkali Dental Studios’ crowns better?
In a traditional crowns procedure, the tooth is shortened and thinned to a small peg and then a “cap” made of metal or porcelain is placed over the whole tooth. The problem is that in 15-20% of cases, the tooth will need a root canal.
If you get decay underneath the crown, it can cause the loss of the tooth altogether. Also, they sometimes don’t look natural and can detract from the natural beauty of your smile.
Alkali advanced crowns are called BPRs (Bonded Porcelain Restoration) & BCRs (Bonded Composite Restoration).
They are better because:
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They mimic the strength & beauty of your natural teeth.
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They are custom crafted for you.
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They keep the walls of the teeth intact & strong.
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Once they are bonded in they behave just like the tooth itself.
How long do they last for?
If you maintain a good oral hygiene, visit us regularly for dental checks and hygiene treatments and have a teeth friendly balanced diet, Alkali dental crowns are guaranteed to last 10-15 years.
What does a crown cost?
The cost of crowns will vary depending on the material used and the task the crown is going to undertake. Prices begin at £495.00 and we recommend you to book a dental examination at our London premises to explore whether a crown is the right option for you and talk about the range of prices and possibilities available.
Why not contact our Putney Dental Studio to discover the right crown solution for you?