The Cottage Dental Practice

• A crown is a cover that is placed over a tooth, after a preparation is made the crown is cemented onto the tooth with a dental adhesive.
• Crowns are used for a number of reasons, usually heavily filled or broken teeth.

Crowns are made from:

• Ceramics – using new techniques, all porcelain crowns are very strong and virtually unbreakable.
• Ceramic and metal – traditional technique for crowns.
• Gold – another traditional technique.

How are crowns made?

Firstly, a thorough clinical examination is conducted with radiographs, by the dentist. The suitability for crowns is assessed and any preparatory work is carried out. Your dentist will also be able to advise on material choices, treatment sequence and any other concerns you may have.

At the second appointment, the teeth to be crowned are prepared. This involves reduction of the tooth size (usually under local anaesthesia) followed by an impression or mould of the prepared tooth. This trimming of the tooth is required to create space for the crown to be fitted. The mould taken is then sent to a laboratory where skilled technicians will fabricate the crown. In the meantime, a temporary crown is made and fitted onto the trimmed tooth.

At the third appointment, the temporary crown is removed and the tooth surfaces cleaned. The completed crown is tried on the tooth for fit, harmony with the bite, and appearance. Finally, the crown is cemented onto the prepared tooth with dental cement.