Dental Crowns
Crowns are dental restorations which are coverings that fit over teeth. Crowns may be necessary because of broken down old fillings, fractured, chipped or sensitive teeth. Crowns are also used to improve the appearance of natural teeth that are malformed, mal-positioned or discoloured. Crowns can be made from different materials which include the full porcelain crown, the porcelain fused-to-metal crown and the all-metal crown. You and your dentist will decide which type is appropriate, depending upon the strength requirements and aesthetic concerns of the tooth involved.
Some of the indications for a crown are:
- A previously filled tooth where there now exists more filling than tooth. The existing tooth structure becomes weakened and can no longer support the filling.
- Extensive damage by decay.
- Discolouration and compromised aesthetics.
- Fractures
- Root canal treatment - after root canal treatment, teeth can become brittle and are more apt to fracture. If this happens, these teeth may need to be protected by a crown.
- Bridges - When missing teeth are replaced with a bridge, the adjacent teeth require crowns in order to support the replacement teeth.
