Transform unsightly teeth into a dazzling smile

Procedure Summary

What can crowns do for your smile?

Archaeological remains show that man has understood the importance of a complete set of fully functioning teeth since the first century, when Maya Indians used stones to replace missing teeth. The idea of using crowns to enhance damaged teeth has been around for many years, and there are a wide range of dental problems that may result in a person opting for dental crowns. For example:

• Decayed teeth - A tooth that has decayed and cannot support a filling will be given a new lease of life with a crown.
• Broken teeth – If so much tooth has been lost that it is beyond composite bonding techniques, a crown can return it to full functionality.
• Root canal treatment – A crown is often needed to strengthen an otherwise brittle tooth after a root canal procedure.
• Worn down – Grinding your teeth, a poor diet or acid erosion can cause your teeth to wear down. A crown will restore them to their correct size.
• Unattractive teeth – Crowns can give an aesthetically pleasing appearance to crooked, stained or generally unattractive teeth. This should only be a last resort if your teeth cannot be improved by simpler, less invasive treatments.

As one man commented after having a crown fitted, “I had a tooth that was crooked and cracked, and eventually it got chipped as well. Having it crowned gave me a perfectly aligned tooth that was strong as well as good-looking.” Your individual suitability for crowns will be discussed during your initial consultation with the dentist.

Having dental crowns fitted

During your initial consultation and examination, your dentist will explain what is possible and answer any of your questions. The first stage is to prepare the tooth ready to be crowned. It will be cleaned and have any decay removed. Then, under local anaesthesia, it will be reduced using a special dental drill called a burr into a peg shape, known as teeth trimming. Dental putty will be used to take a mould of your teeth. The mould is then sent to a dental laboratory where an accurate model of your teeth can be produced. This will be used to produce a crown to your precise specification. The manufacture of the crown usually takes two or three weeks during which time your dentist will fit you with a temporary crown to cover and protect your prepared tooth.

On your next appointment, the temporary crown will be removed and the surface of your prepared tooth carefully roughened using an acid gel to provide a good surface for the dental cement to stick to. The dentist will sit the crown over your tooth to ensure that it is the right colour and shape and that it fits your bite correctly. Finally, the dentist will cement the crown firmly into place.

As one woman commented, “I had 8 of my front teeth crowned – 4 top and 4 bottom – and the improvement in my teeth has also enhanced my whole facial appearance. I look younger, fresher and more cheerful.”

What kind of crown should you choose?

Crowns constructed from metal fused to porcelain eventually show dark lines close to the gum, which can be unattractive. 100% porcelain or ceramic crowns offer a long-lasting, natural appearance, however, there are numerous different kinds of porcelain crowns and cost variations may reflect the quality of the materials used in their construction.

You should give dental crowns the same degree of care as your natural teeth, including regular checkups at the dentist. If you do this, maintain a healthy diet and do not suffer from teeth grinding you can expect a crown to last 15 years or more.

Who should fit your crowns?

You should choose a dentist that specialises in cosmetic dental work to fit your crowns. The price can vary between dental practices, meaning that you can expect to pay anything from £250 per tooth up to £2,000 per tooth depending on where you go for your treatment and what kind of crown you choose.  If you are considering having dental crowns fitted, you can discuss all of the issues mentioned here in greater depth during a consultation with a cosmetic dentist.

The content of this article has been verified
by Dr. Harmeet Kaur, BDS. of Apollonia Dental Care.

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