Dental Crowns Central Coast
A crown is a covering, sometimes called a ‘cap’ that increases with the structural integrity of a tooth.
You may have been recommended to have a dental crown if your tooth has been weakened from decay and has needed a large filling, or are looking to have a significant adjustment in shape or colour, or you may have an old crown that has chipped, or has exposed margins susceptible to wear and decay. It is also very important for any heavily restored tooth that has undergone root canal treatment to have a crown as the tooth loses a considerable amount of sensation and is at a much higher risk of fracture. You may also be looking to have a new crown replaced that you are not happy with.
What is a dental crown made of?
We recommend the ideal material for your crown taking into account both strength and aesthetic requirements.
The three main material types for crowns are:
- Ceramic – ceramic or ‘all-ceramic’ crowns are sometimes incorrectly referred to as porcelain crowns. Porcelain is a very brittle and not a suitable material. There are numerous ceramic crown materials including monolithic zirconia(1200 MPa), high translucent zirconia(590-720 MPa), and lithium disilicate (400 MPa). Most can be made through milling, pressing, or layering techniques which does also affect strength and aesthetics.
- Porcelain fused to metal – when porcelain is fused to metal it is much stronger and this type of crown was commonly used prior to the advancement in ceramic technology. This material has considerable aesthetic limitations and does not replicate the natural translucent properties of teeth.
- Gold – gold is a beautiful and excellent wearing material. Gold is ideal for heavy bruxers and those with short teeth. It is of course not ideal for those who prefer having natural looking teeth. Should a gold crown be required, any adjacent amalgams are replaced with a white filling to reduce any risk of galvanic corrosion. Galvanic corrosion occurs when two different alloys come into contact with one another and can essentially create an electric current.
The highest quality crowns that have the most natural look and feel are handmade ceramic crowns. The in-house milled CAD/CAM technology is advancing, however the limiting factor is the precision of the scanner. We use only the highest quality dental technicians to ensure your new crown has undergone the appropriate glazing, sand-blasting, and etching. The correct preparation increases the strength and comfort of the crown, and creates a harmonious blend with your surrounding teeth.
A crown is a covering, sometimes called a ‘cap’ that increases with the structural integrity of a tooth.
You may have been recommended to have a dental crown if your tooth has been weakened from decay and has needed a large filling, or are looking to have a significant adjustment in shape or colour, or you may have an old crown that has chipped, or has exposed margins susceptible to wear and decay. It is also very important for any heavily restored tooth that has undergone root canal treatment to have a crown as the tooth loses a considerable amount of sensation and is at a much higher risk of fracture. You may also be looking to have a new crown replaced that you are not happy with.
What is a dental crown made of?
We recommend the ideal material for your crown taking into account both strength and aesthetic requirements.
The three main material types for crowns are:
- Ceramic – ceramic or ‘all-ceramic’ crowns are sometimes incorrectly referred to as porcelain crowns. Porcelain is a very brittle and not a suitable material. There are numerous ceramic crown materials including monolithic zirconia(1200 MPa), high translucent zirconia(590-720 MPa), and lithium disilicate (400 MPa). Most can be made through milling, pressing, or layering techniques which does also affect strength and aesthetics.
- Porcelain fused to metal – when porcelain is fused to metal it is much stronger and this type of crown was commonly used prior to the advancement in ceramic technology. This material has considerable aesthetic limitations and does not replicate the natural translucent properties of teeth.
- Gold – gold is a beautiful and excellent wearing material. Gold is ideal for heavy bruxers and those with short teeth. It is of course not ideal for those who prefer having natural looking teeth. Should a gold crown be required, any adjacent amalgams are replaced with a white filling to reduce any risk of galvanic corrosion. Galvanic corrosion occurs when two different alloys come into contact with one another and can essentially create an electric current.
The highest quality crowns that have the most natural look and feel are handmade ceramic crowns. The in-house milled CAD/CAM technology is advancing, however the limiting factor is the precision of the scanner. We use only the highest quality dental technicians to ensure your new crown has undergone the appropriate glazing, sand-blasting, and etching. The correct preparation increases the strength and comfort of the crown, and creates a harmonious blend with your surrounding teeth.
Should I have a dental crown?
Prior to having a crown it is essential to have an assessment. At Element Dental we review the health of each tooth prior to crowning to ensure the long-term success of your new crown.
A crown is simply a covering to increase strength. If there is an issue with the health of the pulp or bone levels, or inadequate tooth structure, wherever possible these issues need to be addressed prior to having a crown preparation. Occasionally a tooth is deemed unsuitable to have a crown.
In many cases, the restoration is updated prior to crowning. It is essential to have a strong and healthy substructure to support the crown. If you have had a root canal on a heavily restored tooth, it is even more important to have the filling replaced as the access preparation restoration is very weak.
What can I expect for a dental crown appointment?
A crown preparation appointment need not be stressful. The session begins with a movie selection followed by the application of topical gel and administration of a local anaesthetic. The existing tooth and restoration is reduced to allow room for the new covering. There is a balance to avoid excessive reduction, and at the same time to ensure adequate reduction for sufficient thickness of the new crown. The preparation is refined to have smooth clear margins. Impressions are taken along with photos and a bite registration. Finally a temporary crown is made. Before you know it the procedure is complete and you will be booked back in after two weeks for the final crown cementation.
How does a dental crown go on my tooth?
The cementation of a dental crown is a short appointment. It involves removal of the temporary crown and cementation of the new crown. Very often this can be done painlessly without any local anaesthetic. Every crown has a quality point check that must be met prior to cementation. This is always an exciting appointment to have restored a tooth back to its original form and sometimes better!
Element Dental provides the highest quality dental crowns on the Central Coast.
