Teeth weaken over time, and issues like discoloration, decay and cracks become more likely as we age. Crowns can help restore your smile if you’re not as happy with it as you used to be.
If one of your teeth is decayed, cracked or seems weak, your dentist will probably recommend a crown. These types of issues cannot be resolved properly by bonding or a filling, but a crown can help prevent further problems.
Several materials, including gold, porcelain, zirconia or porcelain fused to metal, can be used to make dental crowns. A porcelain crown will give you the most natural-looking smile because the crown’s color can be matched to the color of your natural teeth.
Getting a crown will require two appointments to our dental clinic. During your first visit, your dentist will reshape the affected tooth by filing down the enamel so the crown will fit over it. We want your time in our office to be as pleasant as possible, so you’ll be given a local anesthetic to prevent discomfort. After the reshaping procedure, we’ll take an impression of the tooth and the teeth on either side. The impression will be sent to the dental lab that will make your new crown, a process which takes about a week. During this first session, you’ll also be fitted with a temporary crown for use while we’re waiting for your permanent crown’s arrival.
After your permanent crown arrives at our dental clinic in Surrey, you’ll come back so it can be placed and fitted. Once again, you’ll be given a local anesthetic to prevent discomfort. The crown will be placed and a cementing compound will ensure that it stays in position.
Once the crown is in place, you’ll have your old smile back – the smile you had before your tooth started deteriorating. Crowns don’t require any special care, just the regular brushing and flossing you’d use for your natural teeth. They’re durable and typically last from 10 to 15 years.