Crown fixing is a specialized dental procedure where a dentist places a customized crown or dental cap, over a weak or damaged tooth. Apart from restoring the appearance of the tooth, it also supports and protects it from further damage.
When do you need crown fixing?
Dentists often suggest crown fixing for teeth that are cracked, chipped, or broken. Additionally, teeth caps may be necessary when a tooth is extensively damaged or discolored and traditional fillings cannot restore it. Crown placement is also performed after a root canal procedure to provide support, as well as to secure bridges or dentures in place.
Types of dental crowns
There are several types of dental crowns, each with benefits and drawbacks:
Metal Crowns: Extremely durable and long-lasting. Ideal for molars.The main drawback is their noticeable metallic color, which differs from natural tooth color.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns: Combines durability with a natural look, but may chip over time if any unindicated force acts and wear down opposing teeth.
Pressed Ceramic Crowns: Resembles natural enamel but can chip like PFM crowns, as it made of glass like material for high aesthetics suitable for front teeth.
All-Ceramic or Porcelain Crowns: Looks like normal teeth and is suitable for those with metal allergies. Zirconia crowns are especially durable and gentle on opposing teeth.
Same-Day Dental Crowns: Created using CAD/CAM technology, allowing for quick crown placement in a single office visit.
All-Resin Crowns: Less expensive but more prone to breakage compared to other types of crowns. Typically used as temporary crowns.
FACTORS FOR SELECTING A TOOTH FOR CROWN
When selecting the material for your crown, your dentist will consider factors such as your tooth’s location, how much of the tooth will show when you smile, and the position of your gum tissue, nerve height inside the tooth and space inside your mouth. Additionally, the choice will depend on the function of the tooth that needs the crown, how much natural tooth remains, the color of the surrounding teeth, and your budget.
What happens during crown fixing?
Crown fixing usually takes two sittings with the dentist.
During the first visit, your dentist will closely analyse your jawbone and perform an X-Ray of the tooth. They will fix any tooth decay before shaping the tooth. This involves filing the top and sides to fit the crown size.
Next, they create an impression using a paste like material for making a cast/model of the jaw. They use this impression to build the crown.
In the second visit, the dentist places the crown over the tooth and uses dental cement to fix it. Some rare cases doctor might ask for a trail to see the color and fit, properly matches, before the fixing step.
Benefits of crown fixing
Crown fixing prolongs the life of a tooth, even if it has undergone extensive damage. Good-quality crowns last for fifteen years or longer. Apart from securing your tooth and protecting it from erosion, they also enhance your appearance and improve your ability to chew.
However, this specialized procedure requires the expertise of a skilled dentist for optimal, lasting results.
AT Green Health Dental, our prosthodontic experts will deliver customized crown fixing services for your unique needs. Book your appointment with us today.