How Does a Dental Crown Work?

A Dentist Robina crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a damaged or weak tooth to protect and restore its shape, size, strength and appearance. It is often used to cover a tooth that has been discoloured or misshapen, protect a broken tooth or to strengthen and support a tooth with a large filling.

A Dental Crown Restored With a Tooth-coloured Crown

In order to create the custom-made crown that will be used to restore the tooth, a number of things need to happen. First, the tooth that will be receiving the crown needs to be shaped and prepared. This process involves filing down the top and sides of the tooth, removing any damaged or decayed areas, and creating space for the new crown to fit over.

Next, an impression of the reshaped tooth is taken and sent to the dental laboratory. This allows your dentist to ensure that the crown will be made to the correct size, shape and colour and to ensure that it will blend in with your other teeth.

The material that is used to make your crown depends on a number of factors, including the location of the tooth, the amount of remaining tooth structure and your cosmetic goals. Porcelain, gold alloys, composite resin or porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) are all popular options.

Ceramic or ‘Porcelain-fused-to-metal’ crowns are made from layers of porcelain that are fused together to form a hard and strong core for your crown. The advantage of this method is that the crown has a very natural appearance. However, the disadvantage is that it may not be as long-lasting as other materials because they do not have as much elasticity.

Zirconia ‘Monolithic’ Crowns

In-office dental laboratories produce’monolithic’ (solid) crowns from a single, uniform block of Zirconia. This type of crown can be made in a shorter time than ‘Porcelain-fused-to-metal’ or ‘ceramic’ crowns and does not require as much tooth structure to be removed.

These crowns are also the most cost-effective option for out-of-sight molars and people who suffer from severe habits of jaw clenching or teeth grinding.

When it comes to the process of getting a crown, most people are concerned about pain. Luckily, this treatment is virtually painless. A local anesthetic is typically administered to numb the area and prevent any discomfort during the procedure.

Then, a temporary crown is made and fitted to your tooth until the permanent crown is ready. Once your crown is made, it will be removed and the dentist will inspect it to check its fit and color before cementing it in place with dental cement.

A dental crown can last many years with proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist. In addition, if you are prone to teeth grinding or jaw clenching, your dentist can prescribe a mouthguard to help keep your crown in place while you sleep. This can help extend the life of your crown and other dental work, such as fillings.